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THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS 
IN THE CITY 
LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY 



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DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL 


THE 

WOODCRAFT GIRLS 
IN THE CITY 

BY 

LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY 

AUTHOR OP “ THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP,” 

” LITTLE WOODCRAPTER'S BOOK,” ETC. 



ILLUSTRATED 


NEW YORK 

GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY 



COPYRIGHT, 1918, 

BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY 




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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

JUN-6I9I8 

©CI.A497()48 


Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington 
for the photographs; to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers, 
for “Our America”; to W. V. Becker for the legends 
from his “ Folk-lore Stories”; to Christian Science Sen- 
tineliox “Items of Interest,” and to other friends who 
co-operated to make this book interesting to young 
readers. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

One Camping in the City 13 

Two The New Members 31 

Three Heard in the “ Scenic Forest ” 51 

Four The Eskimo Indian Legend 65 

Five A Prize Chest 81 

Six The Lost Campers- loi 

Seven Camping Sports of a Week-end 119 

Eight Quiet Ways for Sunday i43 

Nine A Rainy Week-end Camp 163 

Ten In Falling Leaf Moon 191 

Eleven Camp at Alpine Falls 214 

Twelve Birthday Council on Hallow E’en . . . 236 

Thirteen Indoor Woodcraft Entertainment .... 260 

Fourteen Winter Woodcraft Work 276 

Fifteen Some Week-end Camps 292 

Sixteen The Adirondack Camp 312 



Decorations for the Council 


Frontispiece 

PAGE 

Tenting on the Piazza Roof 

• 

• 

• 24 

In the Scenic Forest . 



• 56 

Costume for Eagle Dance . 



• 72 

A Dip in the Briny Deep 



. 136 

A Race while Wako ” Sat on the Fence 


. 184 

Nita Dancing the Storm Cloud 



. 220 

At the Hallowe’en Camp . 



. 256 

Zan’s Ceremonial Costume . 



. 264 

Edith’s Nature Story . . . . 



. 288 

Sun Photographs of Flowers . 



. 296 

One of the Totems Made . 


.. 

. 320 




THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS 
IN THE CITY 


CHAPTER ONE 

CAMPING IN THE CITY 

“✓^IRLS — guess what?” exclaimed Zan Baker, a 
few days after the return of the Woodcraft 
Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee 
Farm. 

“ Goodness only knows what you have to tell now I ” 
laughed Jane Hubert, another of the five girls who 
founded Wako Tribe. 

“Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn’t been 
turned or twisted by any one of you girls before it 
was passed along,” retorted Zan, with a gleam of 
mischief in her eyes. 

“Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much: 
if I had the rare imagination that you have, Zan, Fd 
compete with Jules Verne,” replied Hilda Alvord, the 
matter-of-fact member of the Band. 

“ Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories 
it won’t surprise us very much to hear she is a popular 
13 


14 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

authoress,” teased Nita Brampton, the social aspirant 
of the group. 

“ I’ll illustrate Zan’s books,” quickly added Elena 
Marsh, the fifth member of the Woodcrafters. 

“ Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh? ” laughed 
Zan, good-naturedly, for all the girls enjoyed this 
form of badinage. 

“ Girls, girls ! This isn’t hearing the ‘ wextry ’ news 
Zan holds cornered 1 Give her a chance, won’t you ? ” 
begged Nita. 

It’s this : Miss Miller wants us to have tea with 
her, to discuss plans for our Winter Camp and to con- 
sider the advisability of admitting another Band so 
we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe,” an- 
nounced Zan, with due satisfaction. 

“When is the party?” eagerly questioned her 
hearers. 

“Friday afternoon about four; and she also said 
that if we cared to invite some of the other girls who 
are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet us in the evening 
to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might 
give them a fine opportunity to really understand what 
Woodcraft did for us during the few months we spent 
in Camp,” explained Zan. 

“ Miss Miller can count on me being there right 
on time!” declared Jane, with a determined bob of 
her head. 

“Me too!” added Nita. 

“ It isn’t likely Hilda and I are going to be absent,” 
laughed Elena. 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 


15 


Thus it came about that promptly at four o’clock 
on Friday afternoon the five happy girls stood waiting 
at the door of the apartment occupied by their Wood- 
craft Guide. As Miss Miller’s professional business 
in life was teaching physical culture to the High School 
girls at the gymnasium of Clinton High, the honour- 
ary office as Guide in Woodcraft was more like play 
to the efficient instructor. 

Immediately after the bell rang to announce the 
visitors, the door was opened and a cheery voice called, 
‘‘ Come right in, girls.” 

** Dear me. Miss Miller, isn’t it just too hot for 
anything? And after our lovely cool Bluff down at 
Wickeecheokee ! ” sighed Nita, as soon as they were 
seated in the front room. 

“ I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleas- 
ant change from camping in the woods,” replied Miss 
Miller, taking the hats from her girls and handing 
them each a fan. 

“ I couldn’t sleep a wink last night in our stuffy 
city rooms ! ” exclaimed Hilda who lived with her 
mother and younger brother in the ordinary regula- 
tion flat. 

‘‘ I didn’t either. I just gasped all night for some 
air,” added Elena. 

‘‘Well what are we going to do? We can’t move 
the Bluff to the City and we live in so-called modern 
homes where the only windows open front and back — 
all except Jane’s and my house where there is an extra 
city lot on the side so we can have light from c^d- 


16 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


ditional windows on the sides,” commented Zan, 
thoughtfully. 

‘‘ It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter 
the very first thing, because it is one of the things I 
wanted to talk over with you before any new mem- 
bers join our Band. If you all approve of the plan 
I thought out it not only will give us air enough at 
night but will offer the new Woodcraft members an 
opportunity to win their coups for sleeping out-of- 
doors for the required number of nights,” said the 
Guide. 

** Oh do tell us what it is ? ” cried Zan. 

“ It must take its place in the order of business,” 
rejoined Miss Miller; “now let us open Council in 
the regular way, girls.” 

“ It won’t seem much like a Council in the regular 
way without a fire and the preliminary lighting of it,” 
complained Nita, who was the fault-finder of the 
Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies. 

“Why I thought you girls all knew how to light 
the indoors Council Fire without the slightest danger 
of destroying anything about you ! ” commented Miss 
Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the cor- 
ner, where most of her Woodcraft material was 
kept. 

Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen 
bowl, the Guide displayed a squirrel’s nest and some 
wild-wood material in the pan. “ I brought this from 
the farm for just such an occasion,” said she, smiling, 
as she placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 17 

handed the pan to Hilda, thus silently authorising 
her to help make fire for that Council. 

Does the bread-board signify anything? ” laughed 
Jane, the tease of the group. 

Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for 
the centre of the Council Ring, I thought the next 
best thing would be a square of wood upon which 
to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave 
me a good idea which I will mention later,” said the 
Guide. 

While she explained. Miss Miller had gone to the 
cupboard for the rubbing sticks and the necessary 
block and fire-pan of wood. All being ready for the 
ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and 
Tribe, began. 

The usual call to join in a Council was said and 
the girls sat down upon straw mats in a circle about 
the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to make fire 
with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of 
smoke was seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood- 
powder, the Woodcrafters called “ How ! ” 

The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of 
balsam permeated the room. When the spark hidden 
under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held close 
to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls ex- 
claimed, “ How 1 How ! which is the Woodcraft 
sign of approval. 

The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and 
as the wild-wood tinder, that was placed on top of 
the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the board. 


18 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer/’ 
continued the Chief, and the girls stood up to sing 
while the fire burned in the centre of their Council 
Ring. 

Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and 
the chosen Tally Keeper, now read the reports and 
mentioned a few items of interest that had occurred 
since leaving the Camp on the Bluff. 

Now we can hear the Guide’s important plan,” 
said Zan, who as Chief of the Tribe, was not com- 
pelled to ask permission to address the Council as 
all other members have to do. 

‘‘ O Chief ! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan, 
I had a wild idea flash through my mind and I wonder 
if it comes anywhere near to being Miss Miller’s 
idea,” said Jane. 

“ Share it with your brethren and if it isn’t too 
wild to harness we may train it to do good service 
for us,” said Zan. 

‘*Well, you see, there’s Nita and you and me — 
we all have goodly sized grass-places back of our 
houses. Why couldn’t we raise some tents as long 
as the weather is good and camp out there at night? ” 
said Jane exultantly, for she thought she had antici- 
pated the Guide’s plan. 

“ That’s all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena 
and Miss Miller wouldn’t care to trot from their 
homes every night to sleep in our back yards,” replied 
Zan, ludicrously as usual. 

The others laughed at the picture outlined by her 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 


19 


words, and Miss Miller added : “ I think we have a 
more important problem than camps just now. Let 
us decide about tjie new Band first and discuss the 
out-door sleeping question afterward.” 

“ I thought you wanted us to settle the matter be- 
fore the new members join us to-night?” returned 
Nita. 

“ So I do, but let us first find out who the new 
members will be, and then we can better judge 
whether they will accept this camping-out-doors idea,” 
answered the Guide. 

“ Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and 
vote them in at this meeting. They are just crazy 
to join,” declared Jane Hubert. 

‘‘ And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us,” said Nita. 

Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget 
and propose her,” ventured Zan. 

“ And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong 
to our first Band,” added Elena. 

“Well girls, you each have your new member to 
win a coup, but I haven’t much time out of school 
to meet the girls, as there is so much work to do at 
home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall 
was asking for me before I met him. If she will let 
me propose her I can keep up with you on this coup” 
said Hilda, whose mother was a trained nurse, thus 
letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda’s 
shoulders. 

“ She told me that that is why she wants to see 
you,” said Jane. 


20 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ That is very considerate of May Randall,” com- 
mended Miss Miller. 

“Yes, and it recommends her for membership,” 
added Zan. 

The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and 
the Guide then said : “ That will make eleven girls 

in all — counting you five. I think that ought to be 
enough to work with this Fall,” and Miss Miller began 
to write down the names of the six members pro- 
posed. 

“ But there are loads of other girls who want to 
join us. Miss Miller,” objected Zan. 

“ I suppose there are, but better not add too many 
new members at one time, Zan; it will tend to divert 
your attention from your own progress, and individual 
work is most important to you at this period in Wood- 
craft. Were you all experienced or old members of 
the organisation, I would approve of enlisting the full 
number of members required for a Tribe,” explained 
the Guide. 

“ How long will we have to wait before we can be 
a Tribe?” asked Nita, petulantly. 

“If this experiment with the new members turns 
out well by Christmas, I should think we might start 
the second Band,” replied Miss Miller. 

“Goodness, can’t we start a Tribe before that?” 
cried Jane, impatiently. 

“ I thought the same as Jane — that we would be 
Wickeecheokee Band and the new members be 
Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the 


CAMPING IN THE CITY SI 

charter for Wako Tribe,” added Zan, in a disappointed 
tone. 

“ Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to 
their despair that the new Band knew nothing of the 
work or laws and were continually calling upon the 
first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief 
the first Band had nothing to say about disciplining 
or advising them. If the new members are subject 
to our Chief, they have to obey orders and can watch 
our methods of work for their guidance, and that 
will spare us many useless words and much valuable 
time.” 

‘'Well, as usual. Miss Miller wins the day! Her 
reasons are as sensible as helpful,” commented Jane. 

“ Good-by Suwanee, I’ll meet you next year I ” 
sighed Zan, wafting a kiss with the tips of her fingers 
to an imaginary Band. 

“Girls, wherever did you find that name? I 
hunted through an Indian Dictionary of names but 
couldn’t find a thing like it,” asked Miss Miller, laugh- 
ingly. 

“ If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps 
you, Miss Miller, what will happen when you join 
the Blackfeet Tribe?” laughed Jane. 

“ Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given 
in charades — they begin thus : ‘ My first is part of 
a name, you see, my second is also a part, O gee 1 ’ 
and so on,” explained Zan, while the other girls 
laughed. 

The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments 


22 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

and the visitors watched eagerly for her to catch Zan’s 
meaning. Then she laughed, too. 

“ I see ! Su — comes from Suzanne, the name of our 
Chief, but so seldom used that I forgot she ever had 
another handle to it than just ‘Zan.* I must give 
up the rest of the charade, however.’' 

‘‘ Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated 
cannot dig it up, but we girls thought it quite simple : 
‘ Su ’ for the Chief, as you said; *Wa’ for Wako 
Tribe — plain enough; and ‘nee’ for all the other 
members who are willing to change their names from 
white man’s ways to the Indian’s with its wealth of 
meaning and beauty.” 

As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if 
to admit that it certainly had been buried far beyond 
her power to dig. 

“ But it sounds pretty, girls,” said she finally. 

“ Mayhap we will have an improvement on that 
name before the Band comes into existence, who 
knows ! ” sighed Jane. 

“ The sooner we start with the new members, then, 
the quicker we will know about the second Band,” 
retorted Zan. 

“ Shall we vote now to invite the six girls men- 
tioned?” asked Elena with Tally Book ready to 
inscribe the names. 

The motion was made and seconded that the names 
of the six applicants be written on the roll and that 
evening they would be questioned and admitted if 
acceptable to the Chief and Guide. 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 


23 


Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to con- 
sider let us hear about your idea for a camp in the 
city,” said Zan. 

“ When I came into this apartment yesterday after- 
noon, its stuffiness struck me much the same as you 
girls said : ‘ Close and airless.’ The Windows were 
all open but that didn’t seem to make any difference. 
While still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickee- 
cheokee I went to my den in the back room and as 
I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of 
the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last 
night I slept as comfortably out-of-doors as if on the 
Bluff, and this morning the English sparrows woke 
me with their chattering under the eaves three stories 
above.” 

Miss Miller ! Do tell us what you did ? ” ex- 
claimed the curious girls. 

“ Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and 
laid it on the extension roof to protect the tin from 
the feet of a cot-bed. Then I carried out a four-fold 
screen and with the smaller three- fold screen from 
my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The 
camp-cot that I keep in case of an unexpected guest 
remaining over-night was small and light, and pro- 
vided me a good place to rest. The whole affair, 
screens, cot, and mat, took up but half of the small 
roof and early this morning I slipped back through 
the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a fine 
cooling breeze all night.” 

Oh 1 ” sounded the surprised five girls. 


24 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


^*You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on 
his sea-going yacht,” laughed Zan. 

I did, and without fear of going to the bottom 
by a torpedo from a submarine,” retorted Miss 
Miller. 

“ We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah 
— all decked and railed in,” remarked Jane, mentally 
picturing a row of tents on that desirable camp-site. 

I could use the rear porch that opens from our 
dining-room windows,” added Nita. 

“We have a box-like porch on the second floor that 
has a back-stair going down from it. It is screened 
in and can be used for a sleeping-place, I s’pose,” 
murmured Elena. 

“ Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed 
so we have no sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot 
from the fire-escape — until the police make me take 
it down,” ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner. 

The others shouted with merriment at the idea of 
big muscular Hilda swinging from a fire-escape over 
the street. 

“ I have my lodging all planned out,” now said 
Zan. “ I shall utilise that square of side-piazza roof 
over the entrance to Dad’s office. It has a two-foot 
high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe 
for me in the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide 
the cot from the street.” 

“ You girls have all caught my last-night’s idea so 
suddenly that I haven’t had an opportunity to continue 
explaining,” interrupted Miss Miller. 



TENTING ON THE PIAZZA ROOF 


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CAMPING IN THE CITY 25 

Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace,’* 
said Jane, giggling. 

‘‘As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and 
thought of you poor girls tossing in warm rooms, I 
wondered how we might have an out-door place and 
still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remem- 
bered the small tents we left with Bill on the farm. 
Those of you who have roof-space can erect a tent 
just outside your bed- room window. The tent-opening 
can be directly opposite the window so that you can 
slip in and out without dread of being seen by the 
public. What do you think of it?” 

“ It’s great 1 ” exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically. 

“ Not for me,” grumbled Hilda. 

“ Nor for me,” added Nita, “ ’cause Mama won’t 
think of letting me have anything so original as a 
camp-tent within a mile of our house — let alone on 
the front roof ! ” 

“ If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at 
the improvement in your health, he may induce her 
to look at the plan with different conclusions than 
these you fear,” ventured the Guide. 

“ Maybe so ; Papa said he would do anything on 
earth to have me keep up this Woodcraft stunt,” ad- 
mitted Nita. 

“ Zan, do you think your father will object if we 
send to Bill for those small tents ? ” now asked Miss 
Miller. 

“ Mercy no ! Dad won’t say a word if you pitch 
tents all along our entire roof and on the front piazza^ 


26 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

too, just so there’s room between the canvas cots for 
his sick patients to find their way to his office- 
door.” 

“The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a 
Sanatorium,” laughed Jane. 

“ Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers 1 ” added 
Hilda. 

The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan 
flush for they all liked to tease her. 

Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash 
from Zan’s eyes and quickly said : “ Girls, I am now 
going to indite that letter to Bill Sherman for the 
tents — what shall I say and who wants one?” 

“ One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me — 
and of course Zan wants one,” said Jane. 

“ I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the 
beach this Summer,” replied Zan, brightening again. 
“ Jane, why don’t you use Jack’s, then the extras can 
go to Miss Miller and Hilda.” 

“ But Zan, I haven’t a place to camp,” said Hilda, 
dolefully. 

“ Then I s’pose you’ll have to borrow some of my 
roof,” returned Zan, in a matter-of-fact voice. 

“ Oh Zan, really! I won’t mind walking back and 
forth every morning and night if you don’t mind my 
using the roof 1 ” sighed Hilda with relief so great 
that the others laughed. 

The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickee- 
cheokee, was given to Zan to mail if her father ap- 
proved of the camp-plan, and then the Guide excused 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 27 

herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to 
serve her guests. 

That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft 
reports were read; then they were invited to join the 
Band and the conditions of membership plainly out- 
lined. Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly 
to abide by the rules and regulations read to them. 

On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor 
Wilbur whispered to Frances and Anne Mason who 
were walking with her : 

** Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when 
we havenT anything better to do, but you don’t intend 
losing any other fun or meeting because of it, do 
you ? ” 

Why we are going to go to the regular Councils 
and meet with the other girls for work or play, 
whether it happens when we have invitations for 
other parties or fun, or not,” declared Frances, the 
elder of the two sisters. 

'' Oh ! ” said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the 
reply. Then after a few moments of silence she said 
confidentially : “ Don’t you think Zan Baker takes 

an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how 
she took the initiative in everything to-night.” 

‘‘ But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has 
to take the lead in Tribal affairs,” explained Anne. 

‘‘ Oh yes, I know that, but you don’t understand 
what I mean. I think she is too domineering in her 
office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great partiality 
for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller 


28 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

bows humbly at the Doctor’s shrine just because he 
got her the position at High School Gym ! ” said 
Eleanor, significantly. 

“ Why Ella ! It isn’t true ! I know for a fact that 
Dr. Baker merely suggested to the Board that Miss 
Miller had resigned from college where she had 
taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure 
she is, and the Board were only too glad to have her 
consider our school, because the salary is half what 
she was accustomed to receive,” defended Frances. 

Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added : Arid we 

girls feel sorry for Miss Miller because she gave up 
that college position when her mother was left alone 
and needed her at home ! ” 

The afternoon following the meeting at Miss 
Miller’s home, Hilda fairly bounced into the gym- 
nasium where the Guide could generally be found for 
some time after school-hours. 

“ Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp- 
ground 1 ” 

“Better than the fire-escape?” laughed the Guide. 

“ Better than the roof of a porch ! And the funny 
thing about it is that the janitor of our building came 
up himself and said : ‘ Miss Hilda, I feel sorry for 

you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if 
you like ! ’ 

“ Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about 
a tent, but he took me up and showed me where I 
could pitch a small tent between the great water-tank 
and the square box-like place where the roof-steps 


CAMPING IN THE CITY 


29 


come up. A stone parapet almost three feet high 
runs all around the roof, you know, so there isn’t 
any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my 
sleep — which I never do.” 

“ I think that is fine for you, Hilda,” smiled Miss 
Miller, but she did not add that she had spoken secretly 
to the janitor that morning on her way to school. 

‘‘ Mother has no objections to this if I will take 
Paul up with me. Paul thinks the plan a dandy one 
so he will be benefited too. I will place a screen about 
his cot or mine so that I will have privacy.” 

“ Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one 
side of the tent to one at the opposite side. Then 
Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit himself, 
and it would not be ruined by rain,” suggested Miss 
Miller. 

“ I’m so glad that we live on the top floor of the 
house, ’cause it will be an easy matter to run up or 
down the short flight of stairs going to the roof. 
When I told mother about it she laughed and said: 
* You always used to grumble about climbing the four 
flights from the street, but I know how much pleas- 
anter it is to be on top instead of under a noisy family 
in a flat.’ ” 

“ Your mother is quite right, and then the air is 
always better the higher one goes, and the rents are 
lower — the last not a mean consideration, either,” 
added the Guide. 

Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile sig- 
nified good news. “ Father never made the slightest 


30 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


objection to the camp idea but he has a still better 
one for me. He says he will erect Jack’s tent on the 
lawn under a group of birches that grow near the 
high brick wall at the back of our place.” 

Then Nita came in. ‘‘ Miracles will never cease, 
Miss Miller. Not only is Mama quite reconciled to 
my camping on the first-story extension roof where 
there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three 
sides, but she is taking an active part in rearranging 
my bed-room so that I can step in and out of the 
French windows without falling over cushioned 
window-seats and gim-cracks standing about.” 

“ This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the 
other girls would have no trouble gaining permission 
to camp out. Now we only have to hear from Elena, 
as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I 
hear.” 

“ Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent 
on the roof of the side-verandah as planned instead 
of on the boxed-in porch at the back,” hurriedly in- 
formed Jane. 

“Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the 
Spirit’s blessing of sweet fresh air that is free for all 
mankind,” said Miss Miller, earnestly. 

“ To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of 
Woodcraft out-of-doors right in a great city,” added 
Jane. 


CHAPTER TWO 


THE NEW MEMBERS 

TiTISS Miller had secured permission to use the 
^ gymnasium for the weekly Council Meetings 
of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when 
the members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new 
members appeared to hold Council. 

‘‘ Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent 
store that I thought we could use about the Council 
Fire,” said the Guide, as the girls all congregated 
about her desk. 

What about those small logs of wood we worked 
at so hard to bark and smooth down? ” asked Nita. 

“ I thought we might make them presentable and 
then cut and paint symbolic totems on them to make 
them look like genuine Indian seats,” said Miss Miller. 

‘‘ Aren’t they quite good enough as they are ? ” said 
Eleanor Wilbur, pushing at one of the logs with a 
slender foot. 

“ I thought they were fine when we barked them 
but now that we are at home and a better idea has 
been given us I approve of following Miss Miller’s 
suggestion,” replied Jane. 

'' Dad brought home some more of those short fire- 
place logs when he came back from the farm y ester- 
31 


32 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

day. He says we may want these thin logs for some 
other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new 
members we haven’t enough of these present logs for 
all to use. They ought to be uniform so I say we use 
the mats until we have the thick logs ready to present 
the Lodge,” explained Zan. 

Girls — I have an idea ! ” cried Elena, the artistic. 

Hold fast to it or it’ll get away from you,” 
taunted Hilda, jokingly. 

S-sh ! ” said Zan. ‘‘ Let her go, Lena.” 

“About those thin logs we have on hand: Let’s 
build an imitation fire-place for our Council Ring to 
make it look as much as possible like one in a wood- 
land camp ! ” 

“ Couldn’t we place our dish of smoking tinder 
inside it and make the artifice still better ? ” asked 
Jane. 

“ Oh I say! ’’ shouted Zan with such emphasis that 
everyone jumped, and the speaker laughed. 

“ Where’s that red tissue paper we had for Decora- 
tion Day trimming of the school auditorium? ” asked 
Zan. 

“ You’ll find it in the property-room with the other 
stuff,” replied Elena, who had charge of decorations 
at school. 

“We’ll line the inside of the logs and when the 
fire shines through, make it look like a big blaze, eh? ” 
asked Jane. 

“ No such thing! ” said Zan. “ We’ll get the janitor 
to change that electric bulb from the chandelier and 


THE NEW .MEMBERS 


drop it, by wire, down to our fire. Then it will shine 
as long as we need it.” 

“ ril run and see if the janitor is around. Will he 
do it, do you think. Miss Miller ? ” came from Hilda. 

I think so, he is very obliging, you know,” replied 
the Guide. 

And ril get the paper,” remarked Elena. 

“You won’t need to do that, Lena, because I have 
orange crepe paper in the closet that I bought when 
I got the mats. I had much the same idea in mind 
for those logs,” said Miss Miller, going to the closet 
while one of the girls ran for the janitor. 

The care-taker of the building not only changed 
the bulb in a short time but assisted Miss Miller in 
rolling the logs from the closet to the place where the 
Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up 
a square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle 
where the electric bulb soon depended. The paper 
was fitted inside the square and when the electric 
current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire. 

This done, four candles were placed at the fire — 
one at each corner of the square to denote the four 
corners of the earth. 

“ I purchased extra long candles so they would burn 
two hours, at least. Now that we have the electric 
bulb we need not waste the extra candles for fire- 
light but save them for some other occasion,” re- 
marked Miss Miller. 

“ Everything ready now for Council ? ” asked Zan, 
looking around at the members. 


34f THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Everything we can think of,” responded Jane. 

Before we open the Council meeting in the usual 
manner I would like our Chief to read from the 
Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page lo, where it 
speaks of initiations and new members,” requested 
Miss Miller, handing the book to Zan. 

* When brought into some new group such as the 
school or club, one is naturally anxious to begin by 
making a good impression on the others, by showing 
what one can do, proving what one is made of, and 
by making clear one’s seriousness in asking to be en- 
rolled. So also those who form the group : they wish 
to know whether the new-comer is made of good stuff, 
and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number. 
The result is what we call initiation trials, the testing 
of a new-comer. 

“ ‘ The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very 
ancient deep-laid impulse. Handled judiciously and 
under the direction of a competent adult guide, it 
becomes a powerful force for character building, for 
inculcating self-control. 

‘ In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try- 
outs such tests as demonstrate the character and ability 
of the new-comer, and the initiation becomes a real 
proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as keen to 
face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to 
give it.’ ” 

Zan finished reading and looked up to ask : “ Is 

that all you want me to read. Miss Miller? ” 

“ Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word 


THE NEW MEMBERS 


35 


to the new members about what is expected of them. 
We will leave the paragraph about the initiation trials 
for the last, then the girls will not forget what they 
are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions 
the new work for members.” 

So Zan continued. “ * After the new member has 
learned the Laws and taken the initiation tests, the 
first thing to claim her attention is that of qualifying 
for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then 
the Achievements, each with its appropriate badge, 
which are described on page 327 of the Manual. In 
time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this may 
come later.’ ” 

“ Now Zan,” interrupted the Guide, “ turn over to 
page 18 and read (the new members) what we expect 
a Way seeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the 
first order of a Big Lodge Girl’s membership.” 

‘‘ ‘ To qualify for a Big Lodge — that is, to enter 
as a Wayseeker — one must: 

“ ‘ Be over twelve years of age. 

“ ' Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages 
of them. 

‘‘ ‘ Take one of the initiations. 

“ ‘ Be voted in unanimously by other members of 
the group. 

“ ‘ Having passed this, the candidate becomes a 
Wayseeker and receives the Big Lodge Badge of the 
lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it. 

‘‘ ‘ The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,’ ” 
read Zan. 


36 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

‘‘ So you see, girls, you six will be Way seekers if 
you pass the trials and fulfil the requirements just read 
to you,” said the Guide. Now Zan, will you please 
read from page 24 — the meaning of a Council Ring? 
Better begin at the bottom of the page where I have 
marked the sentence for you.” 

Zan turned over the pages till she found the place 
indicated and read : ‘‘ ‘ Why do we sit in a circle 

around a fire? That is an old story and a new 
one. 

“ ‘ Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a 
group. Each has her place and is so seated as to see 
everything and be seen by everybody. As a result 
each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they 
could not feel if there were corners in which one could 
hide. The circle is dignified and it is democratic. It 
was with this idea that King Arthur abolished the 
old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above 
the salt for the noble folk and one below for the com- 
mon herd, and founded the Round Table. At his 
table all who were worthy to come were on the same 
level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsi- 
bility, and each in honour bound to do his share. The 
result was a kindlier spirit, a sense of mutual depend- 
ence. 

These are the thoughts of our Council Ring. 
These are among the reasons why our Council is 
always in a circle and if possible around the fire. The 
memory of those long-gone days is brought back again 
with their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brother- 


THE NEW MEMBERS S7 

hood, when we sit as our people used to sit about the 
fire and smell the wood-smoke of Council.’ ” 

As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters 
cried : ‘‘ How ! How ! ” 

‘‘ I suppose the new members know why we called 
our Band Wickeecheokee Band of Wako Tribe of 
Woodcrafters?” asked Miss Miller, with a slight nod 
in the direction of the six girls. 

The new members looked at each other for the 
answer and the Guide continued to explain : 

“ Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered 
on the ancient records of the County Seat in New 
Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is located. 
The English interpretation of the name means, ' Crys- 
tal Waters.’ Dr. Baker’s farm where we camped last 
Summer has this lovely mountain stream falling down 
the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge over- 
hanging a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence 
it rushes on to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road. 
That is why the doctor named his farm after the 
stream — * Wickeecheokee.’ ” 

I wish to goodness we girls could have been there 
with you,” sighed Anne Mason. 

“ ' According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our 
purpose is to learn the out-door life for its worth in 
the building up of our bodies and the helping and 
strengthening of our souls ; that we may go forth with 
the seeing' eye, and the “thinking hand” to learn the 
pleasant ways of the woods and of life, that we may 
be made in all wise masters of ourselves; facing life 


38 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


without flinching, ready to take our part among our 
fellows in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when 
some trial comes, that the Great Spirit finds us the 
rulers of strong souls in their worthy tabernacles/ 

“ Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age, 
so that point is covered. Now we will ascertain who 
of the new members know the law, who are acceptable 
to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to 
the initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest 
rank if accepted in the Band — that of Way seeker. 
Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test from page ii 
of our Manual.” 

The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and 
read : ‘ The trial should be approved by the Council 

and be given to the candidate when her name is pro- 
posed for membership — that is, posted on the Totem 
Pole where it remains for seven suns. In camp a 
shorter time may be allowed at the discretion of the 
leaders. 

1. Silence. Keep absolute silence for six hours dur- 
ing the daytime in camp, while mixing freely with the 
life of the camp. In the city keep silence from after 
school till bedtime. 

2. Keep Good-natured. Keep absolutely unruffled 
for one day of twelve hours, giving a smiling answer 
to all. 

3. Exact Obedience. For one week give prompt, 
smiling obedience to parents, teachers, and those who 
have authority over you. This must be certified to 
by those in question. 


THE NEW MEMBERS 


39 


4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article, such as a 
basket, a bench, a bed, a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc. 

5. Sleep out, without a built roof overhead, for 
three nights consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.^ 

Now that you have heard what the tests are how 
many of you believe you can qualify — answer by rais- 
ing your right hand and by the word of Woodcraft 
approval ? ” 

The six girls raised six hands and then looked at 
each other sheepishly because the word “ How ” 
seemed so meaningless to them. 

‘‘ I forgot to explain that this word * How ’ means 
‘ yes ' or ‘ thanks ’ or ' approval,’ ” hastily added the 
Guide. 

Then all said ** How ! ” and the other five girls felt 
that their new members were doing fine work. 

“ Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while 
we are at it ? ” asked Zan. 

The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action, 
saying : The hand sign of the girls is the ‘ Sun in 

the heart, rising to the Zenith ’ — given by the right 
hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and 
the thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm 
so the hand is level with the forehead, thus — .” 

Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with 
the meeting. 

In case any of you are not familiar with the 
Woodcraft Laws I will read them aloud to you. And 
Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the new 
members write to Headquarters at once and order a 


40 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

Girl’s Manual. They will need it daily, and I can’t 
spare mine, you know. We really couldn’t accomplish 
much without this printed Guide of rules and instruc- 
tion and guides.” 

Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new 
members : 

“ ‘ I. Be Brave, Courage is the noblest of all gifts. 

2. Be Silent, while your elders are speaking and 
otherwise show them deference. 

3. Obey. Obedience is the first duty of the Wood- 
craft Girl. 

4. Be Clean, Both yourself and the place you live in. 

5. Understand and respect your body. It is the 
temple of the Spirit. 

6., Be a friend of all harmless wild life. Conserve 
the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight 
wild-fire in forest or in town. 

7. Word of Honour is sacred, 

8. Play Fair, Foul play is treachery. 

9. Be Reverent. Worship the Great Spirit and re- 
spect all worship of Him by others. 

10. Be Kind. Do at least one act of unbargaining 
service every day. 

11. Be Helpful. Do your share of the work. 

12. Be Joyful. Seek the joy of being alive.’ 

These are the twelve laws that every good Wood- 
crafter tries to live up to. Now if the Fire Maker 
will make fire for our Council, I will explain the rays 
that shine from each of the four candles — one at each 
corner of the earth.” 


THE NEW MEMBERS 


41 


The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker 
for that meeting, to take the rubbing sticks and when 
she stood ready to begin the fire-making, Zan said : 

‘‘ Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo 
Omnee-chee-yay nee-chopi. ” 

The opening words of Council concluded by the 
Chief, Jane placed the fire sticks in their proper posi- 
tion and began to saw back and forth with the bow 
until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block. 

The Guide watching, said, “Now light we the Coun- 
cil Fire after the manner of the Red man, even also 
as the rubbing together of two trees in the storm- 
winds brings forth the fire from the forest wood.” 

Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black 
powder in the fire-pan until the smoke grew thicker. 
She then waved it slowly back and forth still blowing 
gently until a minute spark glowed under the black 
dust. At that the girls all cried: 

“How! How!” 

Then a handful of inflammable wild- wood material 
was touched to the spark and as the smoke curled 
upward filling the immediate vicinity with an aromatic 
pine odour, a tiny flame shot out. 

“How! How!” again chorused the Woodcrafters, 
and the tinder now burning brightly, was placed in 
the earthen dish and the dish set in the enclosure made 
by the logs. 

With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted : 
“ Now know we that Wakonda the Great Spirit hath 
been pleased to smile upon His children, hath sent 


42 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be 
present at our Council, that His wisdom will be with 
us.” 

After this Zan read again from the Manual : 

“ ‘ Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our 
symbol fire. And from them reach twelve rays — 
twelve golden strands of this the Law we hold. 

From the Lamp of Fortitude are these: 

Be Brave. For fear is the foundation of all ill; un- 
flinchingness is strength. 

Be Silent. It is harder to keep silence than to speak 
in hour of trial, but in the end it is stronger. 

Obey. For Obedience means self-control, which is the 
sum of the law. 

And these are the Rays from Beauty’s Lamp: 

Be Clean. For there is no perfect beauty without 
cleanliness of body, soul, and estate. The body is the 
sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore reverence your 
body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those 
around you, and those who keep this law are truly in 
their country’s loving service. 

Understand and Respect Your Body. It is the temple 
of the Spirit, for without health can neither strength 
nor beauty be. 

Protect All Harmless Wild-life for the joy its beauty 
gives. 

And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth : 
Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred. This is the 
law of truth, and anyone not bound by this cannot 
be bound; and truth is wisdorp. 


THE NEW MEMBERS 43 

Play Fair. For fair play is truth and foul play is 
treachery. 

Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him, 
for none have all the truth, and all who reverently 
worship have claims on our respect. 

And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of 
Love: 

Be Kind. Do at least one act of unbargaining service 
every day even as ye would enlarge the crevice whence 
a spring runs forth to make its blessings more. 

Be Helpful. Do your share of the work for the glory 
that service brings, for the strength one gets in serving. 
Be Joyful. Seek the joy of being alive — for every 
reasonable gladness you can get or give is treas- 
ure that can never be destroyed, and like the spring- 
time gladness doubles, every time with others it is 
shared.' " 

Zan concluded reading the interesting words of 
Woodcraft meaning and the girls murmured “ How ! " 

“Now I will propose the name of each applicant 
in turn and the Band must second and approve her 
admission to this Tribe if that is their pleasure. As 
I call out the name will the girl please stand until the 
vote is taken ? " 

“Frances Mason is the first applicant,’* said Miss 
Miller. 

Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the 
next rite but Eleanor Wilbur who sat directly back 
of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her ankles 
and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge 


44 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


joke. Although known to the others, the disrespect 
was overlooked at the time. 

‘‘ Frances, is it your serious desire to become a 
member of this Woodcraft Band?” questioned the 
Chief. 

It is,” replied Frances, trying hard to keep from 
crying out as Eleanor pinched her leg. 

“ Then learn the laws of the League as well as the 
laws of our Band. To memorise the meaning of the 
Four Lesser Lights that shine from the shrine of the 
Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation 
tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable 
to every member of Wickeecheokee Band. 

“ Are there any present who wish to register a 
complaint why Frances should not be admitted to 
our Band or the League ? ” asked Zan, as she looked 
around the circle. 

No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard 
from Eleanor saying : ‘‘ Everyone’s afraid to speak 

even if they do know something against Frances.” 

The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered 
as if she thought herself very witty, and as Frances 
took her seat beside the rude girl, expecting to give 
her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up. 

“ O Chief ! While you were addressing the new 
member, I glanced over the Manual to see if we had 
omitted any necessary reading, and I find we have all 
made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six appli- 
cants for membership in this Band, the Manual clearly 
states that no Band shall haye more than ten mem- 


THE NEW MEMBERS 45 

bers. We will be compelled to drop one of the appli- 
cants.’’ 

This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold 
water on the girls as no one wished to be dropped. 
After a serious debate, the Chief announced a possible 
solution. 

‘‘We will post the names of the six girls on the 
Totem Pole and at the expiration of the period set 
for testing, the one who falls short of the mark must 
resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which 
will form at Christmastime.” 

This plan met with approval and each new member 
then and there decided not to be the one left out when 
the enrollment came. So the six girls were admitted 
on probation. 

“ Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we 
will stand it near the door where everyone coming in 
or going out can read who the applicants are,” said 
the Guide. 

“ I s’pose you are doing that to advertise your 
club,” remarked Eleanor, unpleasantly. 

“ Eleanor Wilbur ! A Chump Mark against your 
credit, for you are on trial now and must not speak 
out of order in Council without giving the Chief the 
proper salute and respect,” said Zan, sternly. 

“ Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such 
airs, Zan Baker! Anyone would think this was busi- 
ness and not fun I ” jeered Eleanor. 

“ It is business I’ll have you understand, and if you 
wish to regard it as a butt for your insults or dis- 


46 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


obedience you can resign this very minute ! ’’ declared 
Zan, her eyes snapping fire. 

But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only 
thing she knew of where sport for the Winter days 
could be had. So she shrugged her shoulders and 
sulked. 

The other girls were duly advised and then the 
Chief ordered the Tally Keeper to enter the record in 
the book and to print the paper that was to be posted 
on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could 
think of. 

Now before we adjourn, is there any request to 
be made in behalf of the Band? ” asked the Guide. 

‘"O Chief! I wish to ask a question,’' said Nita, 
standing. 

‘‘ Speak, O Sister ! ” replied Zan. 

‘‘ I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking 
over here, and she thinks it is fine and dandy! It 
will help us to remember the woods and look forward 
to a camp next Summer.” 

Not that we need an incentive for that ! ” laughed 

Zan. 

No, but in Winter we’ll find it mighty funny to 
sit in this Gym and fancy we are Indians out in the 
forests. But follow Elena’s instructions and you’ll 
believe you’re at Wickeecheokee all Winter,” replied 
Nita, suggestively. 

Nita sat down and Elena stood up. O Chief ! 
Nita and I wish to propose that we imitate the woods 
by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or canvas 


THE NEW MEMBERS 


47 


stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like 
those at our Summer Camp. We can even go so far 
as to have birds singing on the boughs and flying in 
the blue sky.'’ 

Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her 
announcement and Zan said : The blue sky seems 
to be the limit with your offer ! ” 

The others grinned and Elena frowned momenta- 
rily. “ Don’t you think it a good plan ? ” 

“ Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under 
the sun is willing to stay home for weeks and paint 
miles of scenery ? ” retorted Zan. 

‘‘ Why it won’t be much trouble. Nita and I will 
offer to paint the scenes if you girls will make the 
uprights to fasten the stuff on when finished,” said 
Elena, anxiously. 

‘‘ Have you figured out how much this may cost 
us, Nita?” asked the Guide. 

“ No' because I don’t know how large we may 
need it. But any cheap cotton goods will do, you 
know.” 

‘‘ Miss Miller, we might find out about that,” said 
Elena. 

The new members can begin first lessons in car- 
pentry, too,” added Jane. 

After discussing the idea, and with Elena’s added 
description of how beautiful it would look — to have 
Pine Nob showing against the sky in the distance, and 
Old Baldy back of Fiji’s cave, the Woodcrafters 
unanimously declared that they must have that scenery 


48 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

or lose all interest in the Winter Camp in the Gym- 
nasium. 

Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew 
what a tremendous undertaking it would prove to be 
to paint nicely all the yards of material needed to 
enclose a Council Ring. 

‘‘ Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff 
and the necessary paint/^ said Zan, and it was so 
decided. 

‘‘ Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you 
girls will get the cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights, ’’ 
added Elena. 

“ O Chief ! said Jane, thinking of a plan to save 
costs. ‘‘Why not use that side wall of the Gym 
and do away with that many uprights and stretch- 
ers? ” 

“ O Chief ! for that matter, why not use a corner 
of this hall and have two sides ready made and sub- 
stantial, and use the uprights for the other two sides? 
With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will 
ever know there is a solid wall of city plaster back 
of two sides ? ” suggested the Guide. 

“ But it will be a ‘ corner in wood,’ ” added Zan, 
facetiously. 

“Wahl’Wah!” instantly sounded from every old 
Woodcrafter present. The new members looked about 
for an explanation. 

“ ‘ How’ is the term for approval and ‘ Wah ! ’ for 
disapproval, or no,” explained the Guide, smiling at 
the reception given Zan’s wit. 


THE NEW MEMBERS 


49 


‘‘ Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right ! 
declared Hilda. 

‘‘ And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the 
poles and having it sag between each upright, why not 
have a wire or rope stretched taut from one pole to 
the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of 
hooks ? ” continued the Guide. 

“ I suppose such common commodities as clothes- 
pins would be spurned by Indians,’’ ventured Hilda. 

“ I should say * double yes’ ! ” retorted Zan, slangily. 

“ It is most apparent that Zan is associating with 
the ‘ causes ’ of her slang again. She said this Sum- 
mer that the habit was the fault of hearing her brothers 
use it so freely,” remarked Miss Miller. 

This time it was the fault of Hilda’s clothes-pins,” 
laughed Zan. 

‘‘ Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest 
stuff and curtain pins are not ! ” defended Hilda. 

“ I will offer my services to the Band and inquire 
of an interior decorator I know, to see what would be 
the best hanger,” said the Guide. 

''All right. Miss Miller, you do that and we will 
attend to the rest,” added Jane. 

" I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be 
better to paint with than camels-hair No. o,” laughed 
Elena. 

" Use whatever you like but for goodness’ sake, 
girls, don’t put your ' atmosphere ’ on too thick ! It 
will take an age to dry out if you do,” commented Zan. 

Then the Council ended with the singing of the 


60 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Zuni Sunset Song and the quenching of the Council 
Fire — in this case the electric current was switched 
off and the log fire-place taken back to the closet. 
When everything was in order, the girls left and went 
home, eagerly talking over the beautiful scenery-to-be. 


CHAPTER THREE 


HEARD IN THE ‘‘ SCENIC FOREST ” 

A FTER leaving the other girls at the corner of 
Maple Avenue, May Randall and Eleanor Wil- 
bur walked on alone. May was large for her age, 
but most enthusiastic over Woodcraft as she was a 
devotee of gymnastics and all out-door exercises. 

“ Isn^t that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect 
scream?” said Eleanor, jeeringly. 

May looked at her companion with surprise. A 
scream ! Why don’t you think it is splendid ? ” 

“ Oh, it answers well enough when one has nothing 
else to do, but you won’t catch me giving my time to 
making things or helping work just to boost a League 
that wants free advertising,” retorted Eleanor. 

Why Eleanor Wilbur! You know that isn’t true. 
Why would the Woodcraft League want advertising? 
They should worry whether we girls boost or not. 
The cost of keeping this thing going is far beyond 
what we pay in. That Manual alone is worth ten 
times the price we are charged for it. Then too, each 
Band has the free right to make its own individual 
laws and work or meet as it likes,” defended May. 

“ I suppose you are so mesmerised by Zan and Miss 
Miller, who are crazy about the thing, that you can’t 
51 


52 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


see how silly the ideas of Council, or singing, or obey- 
ing laws are! Of course the camping and fun are all 
right I 

'‘If that’s the way you feel about it why not resign 
now before your name is posted on the Totem? You 
know there is one too many.” 

“ Why should I resign when I want some fun this 
Winter? Resign yourself if there is one too many! 
If I had the money Jane Hubert or Zan Baker have 
for an allowance, you wouldn’t catch me wasting time 
with your old Band. I’d go to a matinee every chance 
I’d get, and have other fun, too. But I never get 
enough spending-money to buy decent candy, let alone 
go to a good show 1 ” complained Eleanor. 

May made no reply but she looked at her companion, 
and Eleanor, glancing at her as she concluded, read 
May’s thoughts. 

“ I suppose you are such a Pharisee that you couldn’t 
think of anything so wicked as a theatre or a little 
supper-party,” ventured Eleanor, with a mean sneer. 

“ I guess I’ll turn down this street and walk home 
alone. I prefer it to any such company as you can 
offer me,” retorted May. And that sentence caused 
all the after trouble. 

“Old hypocrite!” muttered Eleanor to herself, as 
she went on alone. “ She thinks by pandering to the 
first Woodcrafters she’ll push herself in. But those 
five girls are too clannish to admit outsiders into their 
charmed circle, and that sweet pussy-footed Miller is 
worst of all! ” 


HEARD IN THE “ SCENIC FOREST ” 


53 


Hence Eleanor was not in the friendliest of moods 
when she met May at school the following morning. 
She pretended not to see her and only when May spoke 
directly to her, did she reply. May said nothing to 
the other girls about the conversation that took place 
between them on that walk home the day before, 
although Eleanor thought she had. 

The names of the six members-to-be were posted 
on the Totem Pole which was placed at the entrance 
to the gymnasium where every scholar going in or 
coming out could read the notice. 

At recess-time the Woodcrafters were the centre 
of attraction and many eager requests from other 
girls to be allowed to join the Tribe, was the result of 
the notice on the Totem Pole. 

‘‘Just can’t do it, girls! We have one too many 
as it is. A Band is only allowed ten members and 
we have eleven proposed, so one has to be dropped,” 
explained Zan. 

“ Which one ? ” asked Martha Wheaton, curi- 
ously. 

“We won’t know until the time for testing is up. 
The one that falls short will have to make a graceful 
exit, I s’pose,” replied Jane. 

“ It ought to be Eleanor Wilbur, then. She’s going 
around telling everybody what a farce the whole busi- 
ness is. She acts as if she had a bone to pick with 
you girls. Did anything happen at the Council to 
antagonise her ? ” said Martha. 

“ Why — no 1 I thought she was enjoying herself 


54 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

immensely. I’ll go and ask her if she intends to drop 
out,” said Zan. 

“ But don’t tell who told you ! I don’t want to get 
in bad with her — you know what a mean tongue she 
has ! ” hurriedly cried Martha, wishing she had kept 
quiet about the entire affair. 

'' Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute — I want to see 
you!” called Zan, running after the girl who was 
making for the doorway. 

'‘What do you want? I’m going in to study!” 
snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan meant to find fault with 
her about May Randall. 

" I just heard something about your way of looking 
at our Woodcraft work, so you’d better make up your 
mind to-day whether you meant what you said or not. 
There’re piles of other girls only waiting a chance to 
grab what you laugh at ! ” Zan spoke angrily as she 
stood at the foot of the door-steps looking up at 
Eleanor. 

Eleanor half-turned at the entrance door and 
sneered : " I read part of that poky Manual last 

night, and I couldn’t find a single thing there that 
would authorise a Chief to call down a member of 
the Tribe outside of Woodcraft meetings. I can do 
or say what I please without your over-bearing do- 
minion of my rights ! ” 

Zan felt like throwing her Latin book at Eleanor’s 
head, but Jane ran up and whispered: "Forget it! 
Give her rope enough and she’ll hang herself, all 
right! ” 


HEARD IN THE « SCENIC FOREST ” 


55 


And as Zan turned away with Jane, Eleanor watched 
them and thought to herself : “ Fd better not say 

anything that’ll get to that Miller’s ears, or she’ll re- 
move my name from the Totem without as much as 
saying ‘ By your leave ! ’ But I’ll have it out on that 
May Randall, all right, for tattling what she should 
have considered a confidential talk.” 

Down in her heart, Eleanor knew she wanted to 
be a member of Woodcraft, not for the fun alone, 
but because she saw what it had done for the five girls 
that Summer. She longed to be a different type of 
girl from what she generally was, but so all-powerful 
was her human will that it kept her from doing or 
saying what she really wished to; and so cowardly 
was the trait to make strangers believe her charmingly 
perfect, that she generally found herself in trouble 
about one friend or another. Even at home, she 
praised the maid to her face and then denounced her 
to her mother. Had she dared she might have carried 
out the same hypocrisy between her mother and father, 
but Mr. Wilbur was the one being for whom she had 
any fear or respect, so she never misrepresented things 
to him. 

It was not the real Eleanor that scoffed at Wood- 
craft and gossiped injuriously about it, but the weak 
mortal self that was the wretched counterfeit of the 
real and true Eleanor. The girl had not yet dis- 
covered this duality in her nature, but she had felt 
a growing dissatisfaction with herself and her en- 
vironment since entering High School, and this un- 


56 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

happy state of mind aggravated her desire to belittle 
others or their efforts to climb to a higher plane of 
living. 

Had Eleanor stopped to diagnose her feelings and 
actions she would have realised that the misunder- 
standings ” (as she termed the quarrels and trouble 
resulting from her poisoned darts of gossip) could 
be easily traced to the vindictive and malicious desires 
she entertained, while the sweet and pure and alto- 
gether attractive qualities that had been paramount 
in her early childhood years were becoming weaker 
and weaker through lack of expression. So at four- 
teen, at the character- forming time when a girl needs 
to be on guard that all undesirable tendencies are care- 
fully eliminated to keep them from taking root for all 
future years, Eleanor, and those she associated with, 
were in a constant state of confusion and irri- 
tation created by her stubborn and selfish wilful- 
ness. 

During the week following the first Council meet- 
ing of the new members, the Band bought materials 
and began work on the forest scenery and wooden 
upright stands. Elena, Nita, and May Randall were 
given the roll of white duck to paint, while the other 
girls measured and sawed and hammered the 2 x 4 
timbers to make the uprights necessary to hold the 
scenic walls of the woodland camp. 

All that week Eleanor had been one of the first 
of the Woodcrafters to be on hand, but the moment 
the actual carpentry began, she would sigh, and scoff. 



IN TFIE SCENIC FOREST 







HEARD IN THE « SCENIC FOREST ” 57 


and belittle the efforts of the others, or wonder why 
anyone spent good time on such foolish ideas! 

Miss Miller had heard rumours of Eleanor’s gossip 
and she overheard several disturbing criticisms made 
during the work on the carpentry, but she said nothing 
at the time. 

Of all the people who knew Eleanor well. Miss 
Miller was about the only one who studied the girl 
and understood the chemicalisation, so to speak, of 
the processes going on within the girl’s consciousness. 
The evil desires were fermenting and souring her 
nature while the sweetness and purifying elements 
were gradually being spoiled so that presently, a Judas- 
natured individual would claim the victory over the 
true, and the battle would be lost for the side of the 
divine and eternal self. 

It was with a thrill of gratitude then, that the 
Guide recalled her deep perplexities over the wayward- 
ness of Nita, that same Summer on the Farm. How 
she had studied every phase of the problem and finally 
won out to the ever-growing betterment of the 
girl. 

“ If I can only win the slightest hold on this girl’s 
innate goodness and learn how to appeal to her higher 
self, I feel sure I can weed out the ‘ tares ’ even if it 
takes a long time. It is well worth the fight for the 
‘ wheat ’ waiting to be garnered,” murmured Miss 
Miller as she reached the Gymnasium door. Which 
goes to show what the Guide really thought of Wood- 
craft and the privileges given her whereby to improve 


58 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

the morals and manners of the girls entrusted to her 
care. 

Everybody waiting for me to-day ? ’’ cheerily 
called the Guide as she hurried in where the girls 
were waiting to hold a Saturday afternoon Council. 

‘‘ Yes, we’re crazy to pass judgment on the scenery. 
Elena makes such a secret of it that not one of us 
has seen it since she had it sketched out with charcoal. 
It’s back there in that huge roll. The boys brought 
it in the car a few minutes ago,” explained Zan. 

“And did you finish the uprights so we can hang 
the duck ? ” asked Miss Miller. 

“ Everything is back in the corner where we decided 
to have our forest,” replied Jane. 

“ Then we can go right to work and place our 
trees and seats, and some of you can build the log 
fire-place in the centre for a Council,” said the ener- 
getic Guide. 

A hubbub of instructions and calls and running to 
and fro continued after this for some time. Miss 
Miller tried to superintend the raising of the “ huge 
forest timbers.” 

“ Say! Won’t one of you girls with nothing to do 
help me hook up this side of the trees? ” called Elena, 
anxiously, as she found the weight of the duck too 
heavy to manage alone. 

“ You’ve got the trees upside-down! ” laughed Jane. 

“ No I haven’t! That’s the way Nita painted this 
piece,” retorted Elena. 

“ Why it looks more like an early settler’s log stock- 


HEARD IN THE « SCENIC FOREST ” 59 


ade than the beautiful woodland hillside back of the 
Bluff,” replied surprised Jane, eyeing the painting with 
her head on one side. 

“S-sh! Nita’ll hear you! She is so proud of it! 
She says it is a much better line of trees than my 
forest ! ” whispered Elena, proudly displaying her art 
work. 

Zan came over to assist in hanging the duck and 
smiled behind the painting as she heard Elena explain 
the various “ scenes ” depicted on the great stretch 
of cotton. 

‘‘ This is the flat rock where we sat telling bedtime 
stories; here is the swimming pool, and up there is 
Fiji’s cave. I tried to get in Bill’s cottage below the 
Bluff but my paint gave out,” explained Elena, as the 
three girls lifted and stretched the canvas and hung 
the hooks over the taut wire. 

But the way you measured and cut the scenery, 
we’ll have to unhook the cave and Bluff every time 
we need one side open. You made the other three 
sides all stockade, you see,” commented Zan. 

‘‘ That’s so! I never thought of that. We will have 
to omit one whole side at times, won’t we? ” responded 
Elena. 

** Still, I think it will be easier to fold down or 
hang up a Bluff than to hew through a great row of 
giant tree-trunks, Zan,” laughed Jane. 

Finding Elena too serious over her painting to 
laugh or enjoy a joke about it, the other two girls 
called that all was ready for the admiring audience. 


60 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


As the group stood about the Council circle looking 
over the woodland scene, some smiled, some sniffed, 
and some looked delighted at the result. Miss Miller 
saw the disappointment on Nita’s face and re- 
marked : “ We joyfully accept this attempt to paint 
the cherished mental picture of Wickeecheokee Camp 
— a scene that defies all words or arts to de- 
scribe.” 

“ But Miss Miller, you must admit that this scenery 
is misleading to new Woodcrafters. We have ranted 
of stars, and streams, and the breath of balsam pines ; 
but where, oh where, is there any such ‘ atmosphere ' 
to be found in this painting! ” Zan cried dramatically, 
as she posed and threw out both arms towards the 
canvas. 

‘‘Atmosphere! Good gracious, Zan, can you ask 
for more!” laughed Jane, in response to Zan’s call. 
“ Did you ever smell such an odour of the turpentine 
that comes from pine? ” 

The girls all laughed but Nita complained patheti- 
cally : 

“If you girls knew the job it was to smear all that 
paint on the old stuff, you wouldn’t poke fun at the 
trees. Why, the duck soaked up my paint as fast as 
I put it on, so of course I had to use gallons of turp 
to make it spread at all. Even then, it dried before 
I could shade any bark on my trees.” 

“You all say I am too matter-of-fact a cook to be 
an artist, but I bet I could take a handful of the 
superfluous paint on those trees and knead it into 


HEARD IN THE “ SCENIC FOREST ” 61 

something resembling ‘ tall timbers’,” now commented 
Hilda. 

“No one could ! Why we had to hang the duck 
along the wall of our attic and stand on an old library 
table while we painted the tops of the trees ! Just try 
to make bark or leaves on a tree that has to be painted 
with a heavy kalsomine brush. Our arms got so lame 
before we painted an hour that we fairly cried with 
the ache in the bones,” said Elena, defiantly. 

“ Yes, and Elena’s attic is so bespattered with raw 
umber and ivory black that Mrs. Marsh says she will 
have to stain the entire floor now to make it look 
decent again,” added Nita. 

“ Well girls, we are all genuine Woodcrafters, so 
we hail with thanksgiving this scenery that fills our 
lungs with the pungent odour of the forest. I, for 
one, will breathe deeply of this pine product ! ” laughed 
Miss Miller, turning the criticism to fun. 

“ Well, all I can say is that I feel grateful for these 
great stout logs that will protect us from Winter’s icy 
winds and the hungry horde of howling wolves — 
the menace of pioneers in the forest ! ” added Zan. 

“They’re all right in Winter but how about the 
longed for shade in Summer when the fierce rays of 
the sun beat upon our unprotected heads? We have 
no branches overhead,” remarked May, whimsically. 

“Now you’ve all joshed Nita and me quite enough 
— let’s proceed with the Council,” said Elena, looking 
beseechingly toward Miss Miller. 

So the meeting was opened and during the singing 


62 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

of the Prayer of Invocation, the Guide focussed her 
camera and took a snap-shot of the girls standing in 
the “ Scenic Woodland Council/’ 

After the Tally of the last meeting had been read 
and other business disposed of, Miss Miller said : 

Is there any particular work you girls plan to do 
this coming week? ” 

‘‘O Chief!” said Nita, jumping to salute Zan. 
“ We really must plan some new dances for this Fall, 
especially if we are going to celebrate a big Hallow 
E’en Council and invite our friends.” 

As this is the last week of September, we haven’t 
any too much time, either,” added Jane. 

‘‘ Well, let’s commission Nita to dig up some new 
and entertaining folk songs that can be acted out in 
a dance,” suggested Zan, looking to the Guide for 
approval of the idea. 

'' Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will 
find us some new dancing songs before next Council,” 
replied Miss Miller. 

'' O Chief ! ” now spake Hilda. “ When we broke 
camp for the Summer we were all quite keen to win 
coups for needle-craft, carpentry, and other work. 
Besides, we want to secure degrees for some of the 
big stunts like Mrs. Remington’s Tribe have 
won.” 

'' Oh, that reminds me ! Elizabeth Remington said 
she would gladly help us to learn how to start the 
pottery and carpentry work. Then too, she said her 
mother thought we ought to plan to have a Little Lodge 


HEARD IN THE « SCENIC FOREST ” 63 


attached to our Tribe, as many Big Lodges have,” 
cried Zan, eagerly. 

“ It is very good of Elizabeth to offer her time to 
help you girls; as for the Little Lodge, I would not 
think of it till your two Bands are filled and the Tribe 
is chartered and well under way,” replied the Guide. 

‘'O Chief! Can’t we start the pottery work first 
’cause Zan knows a lot about designing since she 
started that class-work in school,” suggested Hilda. 

‘‘ I was not aware that Zan had graduated from the 
School of Design so soon. Did you really finish in 
two lessons, Zan ? ” teased the Guide. 

** Oh, you know what Hilda means — she thinks that 
now I can find out about real designing we all can 
profit by it,” explained Zan. 

“ Instead of pottery which is a step beyond carpen- 
try, I would suggest that the Band make some objects 
in wood according to the Manual rules for winning 
coups” advised Miss Miller. 

Why can’t you old members wait a little while 
and give us new members time to win the flower, star, 
and tree coups such as you earned at Camp this Sum- 
mer?” asked Frances Mason. 

'' We can all begin together on carpentry and at 
times when we are not together, or you new members 
are not in on some of the things we do, you can catch 
up on those easy winners,” said Zan. 

So the entry was made in the Tally Book directly 
after the note reading: “ Nita will find new folk 
songs for a dance before next Council.” 


64 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

It read : “ Begin some object in carpentry using 
own designs and material, suitable to claim a coup 
with all provisions met.” 

Now that that is off our minds let's have Miss 
Miller tell us an Indian myth or story. We haven’t 
heard one since that last week on the farm,” petitioned 
Jane. 

And I happen to know that she received a package 
of books from the Smithsonian Institution at Wash- 
ington,” added Zan. 

“ How ! How ! ” chorused the other girls, so the 
Guide felt called upon to contribute her share to the 
Council meeting. 

“ I really had planned something so different from 
this, that I must have a moment in which to think,” 
murmured the Guide. 

Oh dear me ! That’s always the way with us ! 
We are so impatient to make Miss Miller work for 
her honourable position, that we generally manage to 
' cut off our noses to spite our faces,’ ” sighed Elena 
so plaintively that the others laughed. 

‘‘ My original idea will not spoil by delay, so I will 
tell the story now which is really much easier than 
the work I planned,” rejoined Miss Miller. 

Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let 
us judge of its merits,” declared Zan, coaxingly. 

“ I never satisfy idle curiosity if I recognise it, but 
I will tell you a story of what happened to some 
Eskimo Indian children who indulged in this unde- 
sirable inclination to their undoing. 


CHAPTER FOUR 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 

myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People 
from Alaska and is called, 'A Tale of a Red 
Feather,' " began Miss Miller. 

“ A group of children were playing ball with a 
woody excrescence which they had found in the bole 
of a tree. It had been rubbed down and polished until 
it was smooth and shiny as could be. 

‘‘ As they knocked the ball back and forth, shouting 
with glee if one of their band happened to miss it, 
a small red feather floated down from the clouds 
and blew gently to and fro just over their heads. As 
it was wafted about in the eddying breeze, it attracted 
the attention of the youngsters who watched it with 
eager curiosity. 

It never came nearer the earth than just above 
the heads of the children and as they speculated con- 
cerning it, one of the boys declared it must be a magic 
feather. Another said it might be a prince bewitched 
by an evil spell-binder, and still another said it was 
from a Red Eagle that soared from the Happy Hunt- 
ing Grounds. 

The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children 


65 


66 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


and they cried ‘ We want it if it fell from the Happy 
Hunting Grounds/ 

So most of them jumped up trying to catch it 
as it floated over their heads. The tallest boy, making 
a high leap, seized it, but instead of bringing it down 
to the ground with him, his hand stuck fast as if by 
some unseen power. He struggled but could not re- 
lease himself and gradually he was drawn up from 
the earth. 

“He screamed, and his brother seeing the awful 
magic working, caught hold of his hand to stay him. 
But he, too, was stuck fast to his brother's hand and 
was lifted up against his will. 

“ Then another boy caught hold on to the second 
lad's feet and he, too, was drawn up unwillingly. 
Soon, all the children, then the parents who sought 
to save their little ones, next the townspeople, and 
lastly the dogs and cats and donkeys, and every living 
creature in the town — all but the niece of the Town 
Chief were drawn up. 

“ This girl remained sleeping upon a couch behind 
a screen and was quite unaware of what was happen- 
ing to her kinsmen and townspeople and the crea- 
tures that had lived in the town. 

“ The victims of Red Feather were carried up, up, 
up, to a great cloud that hung waiting to receive them. 
There they were kept until the waters in the cloud 
washed them all to bones and then bleached the bones 
white. But that comes later. 

“ The niece, strangely enough, was awakened by the 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


67 


great stillness. She listened and then sprang out of 
bed wondering what kept everyone so silent. No 
shouting of children, no braying of donkeys, no fight- 
ing of cats and dogs, no bargaining of townspeople! 

‘‘ She peered from behind the screen and found no 
moving or living being, so she quickly dressed and 
ran out to call, but no answer came. She ran through 
the houses and found them vacant, and left as if they 
had been abandoned in a great hurry. The canoes 
were still tied to their posts or lying upon the beach, 
so it was quite evident that her people had not gone 
by the water-way. The great mountains back of the 
village offered no temptation to the villagers and the 
maiden knew they had not disappeared that way. 

She went home to think over this strange thing 
and as she thought, she feared some evil worker had 
succeeded in making magic against her people. Reach- 
ing this conclusion, the maiden ran out and stood near 
the spot where her cousins first saw the feather. She, 
too, saw a tiny red feather dance about her head but 
she was too troubled to account for her friends to 
give the temptation another thought. 

'' Having no curiosity or desire to possess the red 
feather gave her the power to see it as it was. As 
the feather still fluttered about, the girl was able to 
witness the whole sight of her people and every living 
creature of the village excepting herself, drawn up 
to the black cloud and left dangling there. 

“ Then she ran back to her tepee and wept. She 
wept gallons of salty tears before she became recon- 


68 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


ciled to her fate. But the tears relieved her sorrow 
and she went forth to seek for a memento of her 
brothers and sister. Where the children had been 
playing ball she found a shaving her brother had 
whittled from the wood from which he was making 
a spear just before he was caught up. She next found 
a feather from the arrow her cousin had been making. 
Then she found a chip of red cedar bark her brother 
had held, and a wild crab-apple blossom her little sister 
had plucked. Lastly, the maiden saw the footprints 
in the mud, of another brother as he had stood catch- 
ing at the heels of his cousin. All these relics she 
gathered up carefully and placed them in a blanket. 

“ The blanket was securely bound by the four cor- 
ners and the gallons of salty tears poured over it. 
Then the girl blew her nose violently to call magic, 
and poured the remainder of her tears over the cover- 
ing that held the treasures. 

“ This last rite performed, the maiden carried the 
blanket to her couch behind the screen and sat down 
to wait. After many days she opened the blanket 
again and there she found a babe. It had a small 
shaving stuck to its forehead. She took the babe out 
and tied the blanket corners together again. Then 
she mothered the babe till it grew strong and as fine 
as her brother had been before it. 

“ After a time, she opened the blanket again and 
lo! there she found another fine child, but a bit of 
cedar bark was stuck to its forehead. The boy was 
also mothered and grew to be a fine lad. 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


69 


“ The third time the girl opened the blanket she 
found a boy with a feather stuck to his forehead. The 
fourth child had a clod of mud on the sole of each 
foot, and so on, the children came until nine fine lads 
had been mothered and reared, and then came a little 
girl who carried a crab-apple blossom in her hand. 

The ten children were carefully reared and taught 
many wise things that all Indians should know. They 
had plenty of food and clothing as every house in the 
town was there to take from. 

‘‘ One day, the eldest lad inquired : ‘ Mother, why 
lies yonder village so empty ? ’ 

“ And she replied : ' My child, it is your uncle’s 
town that lies empty because of idle curiosity. And 
this is what happened to everyone living in the village,’ 
Then she told the children the story as I have 
told it to you, even the punishment that comes with 
curiosity and the payment demanded from any who 
deem they can do what others cannot. 

And the boy asked : ‘ Where is the ball, mother ? ’ 
‘‘ She replied sadly : ' Ah, my son, I may not show 
you the hidden place of that ball for it contains magic 
that brings evil to anyone touching it. Better leave 
skitq! a'-ig. ad Ah in the tree where it grows.’ 

“ But the boys were overcome with curiosity to see 
and try this magic they were warned against. So, 
secretly they found the right bole of the tree where 
an excrescence grew and it was cut out. They worked 
it smooth and round until it was polished enough to 
play ball with. 


70 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ The little sister had not been told of her brothers* 
mischief or she would have dissuaded them — or at 
least, she would have warned the mother that the 
boys had disobeyed her wishes. 

‘‘ They tossed the ball gleefully back and forth and 
soon a tiny red feather floated over their heads but 
little sister warned them not to touch it as it was the 
same evil magic that had drawn all their kin away 
from earth. 

“ But the oldest lad scoffed at her fears and clutched 
at the feather. Instantly, he was turned to mucus, 
right before their eyes! And this mucus was waved 
violently back and forth till it was stretched out into 
a long thread. As it was pulled up to the black cloud 
overhead, one end of the mucus still stuck fast to the 
ground and the red feather tugged and tugged to tear 
it loose. 

“ The second brother caught hold of the mucus and 
was turned to a shaving. But this was whirled around 
and around until it spun dizzily and one end of the 
shaving reached the cloud but the other still whirled 
on the ground. 

“ The third boy ran up and caught hold of it and 
was instantly turned into a strip of cedar bark. After 
being rolled and pulled the bark began to stretch and 
finally one end was up in the clouds and the other 
still remained upon the earth. 

“When the boy with the mud soles caught hold 
of the red cedar chip, he was turned to mud. As this 
was spun out, some of it was carried up to the cloud 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


71 


while some of it still clung to the earth but a fine 
thread of mud stretched between the two mud-lumps. 

“ But the next boy caught the wild crab-apple blos- 
som from his sister’s hand and stamped upon the mud 
from his brother’s sole that lay upon the ground. As 
he stamped he called to his sister : ‘ I am strong 1 
Hurry — make medicine to save us.’ 

And the sister cried : * Be a man 1 Be strong and 
I will save you ! ’ 

‘‘ But he was turned to a crab-apple tree right be- 
fore her eyes. He was being dragged up to the cloud 
but the red feather had great difficulty to tear it away 
from the earth, as the roots had quickly grown down 
into the ground. One strong root still held in the earth 
and red feather was tugging hard to loosen it from 
its hold when little sister ran up and jumped upon 
this root. She then climbed up the long-drawn-out 
crab-apple tree, all the while making strong medicine 
and slashing out with a long sharp sword. 

The red feather flew madly about and when, at 
a mighty slash of the sword, the evil magic fell to 
earth, its power was gone forever! 

“ Then immediately after it came the nine brothers 
who were not hurt for red feather had lost its magic 
to hurt any more. 

“ And on top of the children came down the 
whitened bones of the villagers, and last of all crashed 
down the remains of the dogs and cats and donkeys 
that had lived in the village in the long-ago. 

“ The wild crab-apple tree had not had its root 


72 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


pulled from the ground before red feather was slashed 
down to earth, so little sister slid down that root and 
reached the place where all the brothers, and villagers, 
and creatures lay in a heap together. 

She spat medicine upon her brothers and they 
each took a natural form again, and were over-joyed 
at seeing themselves at home. Then she spat medicine 
upon the bones of her kins-people and they all returned 
to life. Next the villagers were brought back and then 
the dogs, because they are man’s best friends; then 
the donkeys, for they help carry the burdens of man ; 
and lastly the cats for they kill vermin but are in 
themselves no other good to man. 

So the people and every creature thanked little 
sister for the strong medicine she had made to bring 
them all safe back home. Then she told them that 
they need never have been dead or kept up in that 
cloud had they known themselves and their power 
over all evil magic. 

‘‘ And from that day, the people taught their chil- 
dren first, above every other knowledge, ' Know Thy- 
self,’ then the next thing the children were taught was, 
‘ Know that evil has no power or magic for one who 
Knows Himself!’” 

As Miss Miller concluded the story the Wood- 
crafters cried ‘‘ How I How ! 

“ What a strange story — it sounds almost like an 
allegory with a deep meaning,” said Jane. 

“ It is, and has hidden in its fanciful pictures de- 
scribed, the story of the Adam creation, of the Fall 



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THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


73 


of Man, the New Birth of a Saviour, and the final 
resurrection from the dead when evil has been thrown 
to earth. At least, that is what I found in it as I 
studied its text and realised how much was buried in 
the words,” replied Miss Miller. 

“ Miss Miller,” came from Zan warningly, “ remem- 
ber — I too have that book from the Smithso- 
nian ! ” 

The Guide laughed. “ Well, what if you have? ” 

“ I fear you will be drawn up to the black cloud by 
black magic unless you hasten to make amends for 
your deception,” threatened Zan. 

“ O Chief ! I move that you tell us what evil deed 
the Guide has forced upon us! ” cried Jane, watching 
the two eagerly. 

O Brothers — or in this case, I should say * O 
sistern,’ our hitherto revered Guide wove magic before 
your eyes as you did not know that her tale was but 
half the story in the book. Now I shall make strong 
medicine and you shall see the magic leave her in our 
power,” spoke Zan, in a thundering tone, meantime, 
weaving a spell in the air with her hands and fingers, 
to the amusement of the girls. 

Miss Miller, laughing, knew Zan would give her 
no peace until she had accomplished her purpose — 
in this particular case, the conclusion of the legend. 
So she stood up and saluted. 

Ha ! the medicine worked quickly, sistern ! ” 
laughed Zan, seating herself. 

‘‘ The second half of this tale may be applied by 


74? THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

each one here to some profit/’ remarked Miss Miller, 
as a prelude to her legend. 

‘‘ The day following the one the people had been 
returned to their homes and living, the boys found 
the little red feather in the dust where it had fallen 
when slashed down from the cloud. 

‘‘ In great anger and spite they began to tear it to 
bits and throw the down hither and thither. When 
they could find no further evidence that the evil magic 
had once been powerful, they suddenly found them- 
selves in a snow-storm. 

It snowed and snowed until everything was cov- 
ered. It piled up everywhere — on houses, stalls, town, 
and trees — all were snowed under and no day-light 
could peep in at the air-holes or doorways. 

Then little sister, who had been sleeping a long 
time, awoke and got up. She heard the cries of her 
people who wanted air and light, and she knew she 
must make medicine to help them overcome the evil 
they had brought upon themselves through spite and 
mistaken punishment. 

So she made strong medicine and gave it to her 
brothers to rub on the door-posts. They did and the 
snow melted instantly so that they could breathe and 
see, but the snow still lay piled up in the streets and 
over the other houses. And it also covered the smoke- 
hole of their house so that no fire could burn to pre- 
pare the food. Still the snow fell and fell until it 
seemed that the doorway would again be blocked 
up. 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


75 


‘‘ Then little sister called upon her mother for help, 
and together they made medicine and then called upon 
the birds to help. 

A blue jay soon flew over the smoke-hole of the 
house and dropped a ripe elder-berry down through 
the opening. As the berry touched the snow, the ice 
and sleet melted and soon vanished so that the roof 
was clear. 

Now little sister took the berry and wherever it 
touched ice or sleet or snow, the frozen magic melted 
and left off being. 

“ The blue jay flew over the other houses and 
dropped a berry down each smoke-hole. In many 
homes the berry was used as advised and these families 
were soon out of the ice and cold. In other places the 
people were too busy shoveling snow to bother with 
the blue jay’s berry and they remained frozen still. 
Some used the berry to melt a way out of the house 
and then wasted no more effort so the smoke-hole 
never worked right and nourishment was scarce. 

‘‘ When the bird had dropped a berry down every 
smoke-hole it flew back to little sister’s home and said : 
‘ Now I must be on my way again. Who will come 
with me to visit heaven, where I go ? ’ 

Most of the children were eager to go so they 
climbed upon the bird’s back or clung to his wings 
and feet until he came to the clouds where heaven 
was hidden away from earth-dwellers’ sight. 

Once in heaven, the blue jay flapped his wings 
and rolled the children off and told them he had to 


76 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

leave them for a short time to report what he had 
done on the earth. 

“ Left alone, the children walked about enjoying 
the novel sights, until one of the boys saw a djo'lgi 
sniffing about. He threw a rock at the animal and 
stunned it, then he ran over and tore it to bits and 
scattered the fragments about, although the poor 
djo'lgi had not done anything to merit this cruelty. 

“ The children now felt hungry and said they would 
go and seek for something to eat, as the blue jay had 
failed to return to help them find bread. 

As they walked, they came to a house where a 
woman stood looking anxiously about as if in search 
for someone. 

The children drew near and she said : ‘ Have you 
seen my child playing about ? ’ 

“And they answered: ‘We saw nothing but a 
djo'lgi and it we killed.’ 

“ ‘ Oh, oh! You bad children! You have killed my 
child ! ’ cried the woman. Then she suddenly caught 
the children and pushed them in through the open 
door and when they were all in she turned and said, 
‘ Door, bolt yourself.’ 

“ Then the children trembled when they saw the 
door shut and bolt itself and they knew they were 
again in the power of black magic. 

“But little sister had had nothing to do with the 
killing of the djo^lgi and she now whispered to the 
brother who had held a firm root in the earth when 
red feather tried to tear the crab-apple tree from the 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 


77 


ground : ‘ I will make medicine and smear some on 
you. That will turn you into a cinder so that you 
can fly up the smoke-hole and get out. Then find 
Blue Jay. With the medicine I smear on your head 
you can bring the djo'lgi back to life and let Blue Jay 
bring it home to the old woman. When she finds her 
child alive and happy she wil| let us all go.' 

The boy did as sister told him, and when he was 
outside the smoke-hole he flew about heaven until he 
found Blue Jay. 

‘‘ So medicine was rubbed on the djolgi and he 
was brought back to life and carried home. There, 
a loud rap on the door made the old woman cry: 
' Who's there ? ' 

“ And the djolgi answered : ‘ It is your djo'lgi, 
mother, let me come in.' 

“ She ran and unbolted the door and was so happy 
to have her child back in her arms that she forgot to 
bolt the door again. Then the Blue Jay led the chil- 
dren forth and they all went to the big house on the 
Cliff where Blue Jay’s grandmother lived. Here a 
fine feast was spread for the visitors and after they 
had had all the juicy venison they could eat. Blue Jay 
said : ‘ Come now, let us go to heaven.’ 

“ But the grandmother said : ‘ How can all these 
children crawl through safely when the clouds open 
and shut ? ’ 

‘‘ ‘ I'll show them how and if they mind they will 
get in,’ replied the Blue Jay. 

Then they said good-by to the grandmother and 


78 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

followed after Blue Jay to the place where they had 
to creep in under the clouds if they wished to see 
the great Bill-of-Heaven who was known everywhere 
as the Power-of-the-shining-clouds. 

“ When they came to the edge of the blue sky where 
the clouds open and shut continually, Blue Jay dipped 
his feathers in the blue to make them brighter and 
meantime, some of the boys tried to run under the 
cloud and so get into heaven first. But the cloud came 
down and caught them, so they were turned into rain 
and poured down to help the earth blossom. 

‘‘Then some of the other children tried to rush 
through, and of these two were caught under the edge 
of the cloud and were turned to thunder, and the 
others who only got a glimpse of heaven were turned 
to lightning from the brightness of the glory they 
saw. 

“ Blue Jay came back after a time and was sorry 
to hear some of the children had not followed his 
advice but risked their happiness by being rude and 
disobedient. Then he turned to the remaining children 
and said : ‘ I will watch for the time when you must 
rush in. I will call ‘‘ Fly ! then all must fly back and 
forth along the edge of the cloud till a little rift of 
blue where a cloud lifts is seen. Dart through that 
but never try it unless you see the rift of blue.' 

The little sister was told to follow with Blue Jay 
as he would see her through. Then cinder brother 
and a few of the others waited and watched, flying 
back and forth until they §aw a rift break through a 


THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND 79 


thick cloud, and quickly they rushed through and found 
the glory of the sun and lived happy in heaven ever 
after.” 

How ! How ” cried the girls, some clapping their 
hands. 

Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls ap- 
plauding. Then she said, “If that isn’t the silliest 
nonsense ever! Besides, I think it is positively sacri- 
legious to talk in that way about heaven I ” 

“ Sacrilegious ! Why should it be ? It is the simple 
ancient beliefs of the Indians who had no Bible as 
we have, and handed down these legends from one 
generation to another to teach their children respect 
and obedience to the Great Spirit,” replied Zan. 

“ You certainly can’t say that calling the Power 
above by the name of ‘ Bill-of-Heaven ’ is respect I 
I almost shivered when I heard Miss Miller use such 
blasphemy ! ” retorted Eleanor. 

“Why Eleanor, you are mistaken! The name is 
interpreted from the original language where the 
Indians never even heard the name of ‘ Bill,’ so they 
could not use it in disrespect. In their tongue the 
term ‘ Bill ’ means an entirely different thing than in 
our English, so we must not condemn a thing because 
we are ignorant of its uses,” said the Guide, calmly. 

“ Tell us the germ of truth you found in that alle- 
gory, Miss Miller,” begged Jane. 

“ I told you before I began that you each must 
apply it for yourselves. I can sit down and find a 
suitable lesson in it for the short-comings of each one 


80 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


present/’ laughed Miss Miller, rising to close the 
Council Meeting. 

As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called 
after them : “ Remember to bring a finished product 
of your carpentry for the next Council 1 ” 


CHAPTER FIVE 


A PRIZE CHEST 

^ I 'HE following week, every member of Wickee- 
cheokee Band was busy after school, working 
hard on their carpentry. Some had decided to make 
wooden toys for the little ones, some preferred odd 
pieces of furniture, such as a foot-stool, a tabouret, 
a waste-paper-basket, etc. The older Woodcrafters 
were busy making more difficult things as they had 
had some practise in the handling of tools and wood. 
May Randall, not to be outdone by the older mem- 
bers, wanted to manufacture a Woodcraft Chest to 
hold the papers, beads, and other things she would 
collect in her Woodcraft work as time went on. 

“ I never dreamed this work could be so tedious,” 
sighed Ethel Clifford, whittling away at a bit of wood 
that had to dove-tail into the other section. She was 
making a set of fire-boards. 

“ One never realises how long a time hand-made 
articles take. That is why they always cost more than 
machine made objects,” added Anne Mason. 

“ I hope my tilting stools will look like the picture 
given in the Manual,” now said Mildred Howell. “ If 
they don't work I shall give up in despair.” 

81 


82 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you’ll get 
a coup” remarked Zan, who looked up from the 
elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having con- 
structed the entire machine of wood. 

I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan,” now 
said May Randall, working industriously at the chest 
she was etching in pyrography. 

‘Til tell you what. May! If the bead-loom you 
expect to make turns out half as fine as that chest, 
it will be better than mine,” praised Zan. “ I never 
saw a girl handle tools as naturally and deftly as you 
do — for a greenhorn, too 1 ” 

May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise 
is sweet. 

“What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?” asked 
Hilda. 

“ I don’t know — she hasn’t been with us yet, you 
know,” replied Anne Mason, evasively. 

“ Is she doing anything else besides making 
trouble ? ” asked May Randall, in her blunt way. 

“ I’ll thank you to mind your own business. Miss 
May Randall,” called a voice from the door. 

The girls flushed guiltily as they looked up and 
found Eleanor herself trembling with anger. She 
had stopped at Zan’s house to leave a borrowed book 
and the maid told her the girls were on the back-porch 
working. So she happened there unannounced. 

“ Well, are you, Eleanor? ” persisted May, defiantly. 

“ I’ll tell you what’s troubling you, all right — you 
dog-in-the-manger, you! You’re afraid I’ll win out 


A PRIZE CHEST 


83 


ahead of you in the test for membership, so you go 
to work in an underhanded way to prejudice the others 
against me,’' declared Eleanor. 

“ Hardly, Miss Wilbur, for Zan just told us that 
Ethel handed her a letter to be read at the weekly 
Council. She is to go to California next month to 
be gone all Winter so she has withdrawn her applica- 
tion till Spring,” snapped May, with satisfaction. 

‘‘ Then there are only five after all,” said Eleanor, 
a gleam of pleasure on her face. 

“ There may be only four — if one of the new mem- 
bers keeps on the undesirable pathway she has trodden 
since applying for membership ! ” taunted May, who 
had a sharp tongue at times. 

“Pooh!” sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged 
her work down loudly upon the floor and said angrily : 

“For pity’s sake, forget it — you two! We never 
had a single scrap like this when we were at Camp ! ” 

“ I’m not scrapping a bit,” defended Eleanor. “ It 
is that hateful old thing over there. But as I am going 
now anyway, don’t bother to shut her up. I’m on my 
way to visit Miss Miller, so I will just mention the 
fact that Miss Randall is running the Tribe now, and 
she as old Guide can resign gracefully or be ousted 
by the new Guide ! ” sneered Eleanor, slamming the 
door as she left the porch. 

“ Can’t we put her out, girls ! I am getting to hate 
her,” cried May, spitefully. 

“ You’re letting your anger get the best of you. 
May. It has already made you lose out in one test — 


84 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


same as Eleanor has. Besides, Eleanor may need 
Woodcraft more than any of us, because the work 
isn’t a matter of pastime as much as fer improve- 
ment,” said Zan, who had had a private talk with 
the Guide and to her questions about ousting Eleanor, 
had been told some truths that made her think of Nita 
and the impatience the girls felt at her in Camp that 
Summer. 

Girls, since Zan spoke of May’s Woodcraft box 
I have been thinking — why can’t we have contests in 
work and give a prize to the one having the best 
product to show with the others at the exhibit ? ” said 
Elena, trying to change their current of thought. 

‘‘ Let’s do it ! The one to win this Saturday, to 
have a suitable prize awarded for the different points 
covered,” said Zan. 

“ It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time 
taken in the making,” suggested Jane. 

I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests 
with the Woodcrafters for certain requirements well- 
done?” wondered Nita. 

“ Let’s have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe 
we can give them a new idea,” commented Hilda. 

Silence followed for a few moments after that de- 
cision and Nita began humming a new Hawaiian 
air. 

That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new 
folk songs that we might adapt for dancing?” asked 
Jane. 

“ Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it 


A PRIZE CHEST 85 

while you take a little rest from work?” cried eager 
Nita. 

Nita never lost an opportunity to dance, and it was 
her greatest delight to show her friends any new steps 
or figures she had improvised for a Woodcraft Folk 
Song or Dance, which really is true dancing from 
over-flowing joy in the heart — but not the so-called 
wanton dances in vogue at the present time. 

The girls always enjoyed watching the graceful 
form as it bent low or whirled around in the Indian 
Acting Songs, so to-day they approved the suggestion 
to rest and be entertained by Nita. 

“ I shall have to sing the words in French as Miss 
Miller and I haven't translated them yet. The air is 
familiar to most of you and you must hum it with 
me. Now I will sing and slowly step the bars while 
you try to study the action and practise it at home,” 
announced Nita. 

SUR LE PONT D’AVIGNON 


Sur le pont d’Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse; 

Sur le pont d’Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse en rond, 

Les beaux messieurs font comm’ ga, 

Et puis encor comm’ ga: 

Sur le pont d’Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse, danse 
Sur le pont d’Avignon 

Tout le mondey danse en rond. 


86 the woodcraft GIRLS IN THE CITY 




Sur le pont d'Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse, danse; 

Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse en rond. 

Les belles dames font comm' ga, 

Et puis encor comm’ ga: 

Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse, danse 
Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse en rond. 


87 


A PRIZE CHEST 

Sur le pont d' Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse, danse; 

Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse en rond, 

Et les capucins font comm’ ga, 

Et puis encor comm’ ga, 

Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse, danse 
Sur le pont d’ Avignon, 

Tout le mondey danse en rond. 


Thereupon Nita danced The Bridge song to 
the satisfaction of her audience. They applauded and 
encored until she laughingly consented to treat them 
to their favourite dances. Many of these were steps 
invented by Nita to improve upon the old folk dances. 
When the girl, breathless, finally sat down, the other 
girls complimented her to her heart’s content. 

“ I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance 
it for Miss Miller as a surprise,” suggested Zan. 

“ Let’s do it I ” abetted Elena. 

‘'We ought to complete our carpentry work first,” 
ventured May. 

“We haven’t any extra class studies at home this 
week so we might carpenter in the afternoons and 
dance at night,” eagerly said Nita. 

“ Why not come over to my house at eight and I 
will have the rugs and furniture moved out of the 
living-room. Anne and I will be all alone this even- 
ing as the others are going out,” added Frances 
Mason. 

“ That’s fine ! Who can meet at the Masons’ at eight 


88 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

to-night?’’ called Zan, looking about at the Wood- 
crafters. 

‘‘ We surely will — every one of us,” accepted Hilda. 

“Well, don’t waste our time making us wait for 
you. If someone can’t come let her telephone before 
meeting-time,” advised Anne Mason. 

“ Hoh! Anne doesn’t know us yet! Catch a Wood- 
crafter being late when there’s any fun going ! ” 
laughed Jane. 

Every member was there before eight that night, 
Eleanor having been notified over the telephone. A 
merry evening was enjoyed with dancing and singing 
and most of the girls were sure the French Folk Song 
could be mastered for a private exhibition on Saturday 
if they had one more evening’s practise. 

“ To-morrow is Thursday and some of us are booked 
to go to those Burton-Holmes Lectures, but we might 
all meet again on Friday night? ” suggested Zan. 

“ Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise, 
and then all meet Friday,” added Hilda. 

“ Where do you want to meet Friday — come to my 
house,” invited Jane. 

As the Huberts had a large house with a splendid 
living-room, it offered excellent facilities for dancing, 
so the girls gladly accepted the invitation. 

Shortly after nine o’clock Friday night, while the 
Woodcrafters were cooling off and talking about their 
successful dancing lesson of the French song, Mrs. 
Hubert opened the door and peeped in. 

“ When you finish dancing maybe you’ll come to 


A PRIZE CHEST 89 

the kitchen and help me make some fudge ? ’’ hinted 
she. 

'‘We’re all through!” cried Zan, jumping up and 
running for the door. 

" So we are when there’s fudge on the programme,” 
laughed Elena. 

But fudge was not the only candy made that night. 
As Saturday morning was a “ lazy day ” for school- 
girls, they could sleep an hour later than usual. So 
there was no haste to get home and to bed that 
night. 

" Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the 
recipe for your fudge — it is so good ! ” exclaimed 
Elena. 

" Why, I’ll tell you right now, and you can watch 
me make it, too,” replied Mrs. Hubert. 

" Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally,” said 
Zan. 

As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena 
to write down, she measured out the quantities for 
the candy. 

" One cup of granulated sugar, one cup of powdered 
sugar, one and a half cakes of Baker’s chocolate, a 
lump of butter about the size of a walnut, two-thirds 
of a cup of milk, and any flavour desired. I shall use 
vanilla to-night as most girls like that. 

" Now I boil the milk and sugar, stirring all the 
time from when it is first placed over the fire. When 
it fairly hardens so as to form a ball when dropped 
in cold water, I remove it from the stove and add 


90 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


the chocolate which must be shaved very fine, or even 
grated as it is to-night. 

“ Next I add the vanilla, and the butter last. Quickly 
then, I beat it until it thickens but it must not sugar. 
Pour it in buttered tins and when it is partly hardened 
we can cut it into squares. 

‘‘ In case any of you do not have powdered sugar 
in the house you can use granulated but the powdered 
sugar makes it creamy and there is less danger of 
crystallising while beating.” 

The fudge was made and declared the finest ever 
tasted. 

‘‘.Oh, but you girls say that every time I tre.at you,” 
laughed Mrs. Hubert. 

“ It's true, and that shows how you improve in 
candy-making every time you cook it for us,” retorted 
Zan, quickly. 

“ Which interpreted means : ‘ Be sure and give us 
fudge every time we visit you,’ ” laughed Mrs. 
Hubert. 

“ You’d hear no kick coming from the Wood- 
crafters,” added Jane. 

“Jane! There you go again with your slang! I 
thought Miss Miller was curing you girls of that 
pernicious habit,” said Mrs. Hubert. 

“We were cured. Mother, but you see our brothers 
were still ill with the despised complaint and we caught 
it again, didn’t we Zan? ” said Jane, appealing to her 
competitor in slang. 

Zan’s mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she 


A PRIZE CHEST 91 

nodded her head vigorously to express her feelings 
about slang. 

Dear, dear, such girls ! '' sighed Mrs. Hubert, 
taking a recipe book from the shelf and turning to 
a page of candies. 

“Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat? ’’ 
asked she. 

Naturally they cried “ yes and Elena prepared to 
make another entry in the Tally. 

“Always blanch the almonds or other nuts to be 
used. I generally keep some on hand so we won’t 
have to take time for that work to-night. Now some 
of you girls skin these nuts and some of you can chop 
them very fine. 

“ For the nougat, I melt some powdered sugar, using 
a dessert-spoonful of lemon juice to every pound of 
sugar. It takes double the weight of sugar in almonds. 
We have a pound of sugar, so I use two pounds of 
chopped nuts. They must be hot before dropping 
them into the sugar-syrup. 

“We ought to have regular nougat moulds like con- 
fectioners use, but not having them, I have to take 
the flat tin we use for ginger-bread. That is why 
I had you chop the nuts very fine — so that the nougat 
when it is spread in the tin, can be cut with a knife. 

“ Into this buttered tin, I press the nougat with the 
lemon skin until it is all smoothed out flat. Then I 
quickly cut the bars so they can be broken apart when 
it is cold. If we had regular moulds we could use the 
nuts in much larger pieces,” 


92 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

‘‘ I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully 
hard candy to make, but it is as simple as rolling off 
a log,’' declared Hilda. 

‘‘ I just love it, don’t you? ” said Elena, sniffing the 
odour that rose from the pan of candy. 

You love any kind of candy. Your mother says 
you have a ‘ sweet tooth,’ ” laughed Nita. 

I’ll show you how to make one other kind of candy 
and then it will be time for you to go home. It is ten 
o’clock now,” said Mrs. Hubert. 

“ Put a cupful of powdered sugar in a bowl and 
add about a quarter of a teaspoonful of cream, or at 
least enough to stir the spoon about in the mixture 
easily. Be careful not to use too much cream, though, 
as that will make it run and not cream itself. Now 
add a teaspoonful of lemon or vanilla. We will use 
the latter for this cream. Next stir the mixture well 
until all lumps are worked smooth like a paste. 

Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break 
them asunder. 

“ Now girls, as the dates are stoned, you take 
enough cream to fill the opening made by the stone. 
Then you stick the edges of the date together again 
and roll in powdered sugar. They are then placed 
on an oiled paper to keep from sticking while drying.” 

The creamed dates were soon made and tasted. 
Some of the Woodcrafters said they needed a much 
larger taste than a single date offered, and Mrs. 
Hubert laughed. While the girls were away from the 
kitchen to find their hats and coats, the hostess divided 


A PRIZE CHEST 93 

the candy left and gave each amateur confectioner a 
package to take home with her. 

Saturday with its weekly Council found each girl, 
except Eleanor, more than elated with the finished 
article of carpentry work to exhibit at the meeting. 
Of the entire collection the bead-loom, tabouret, and 
chest were considered the best. 

“ I declare, girls, it is marvelous how neatly you 
have fitted the corners and finished the edges of the 
work. May^s chest is as pretty and well-made as any 
I have ever seen. The hinges and clasp are original 
and hand-made, too, I see. Did you originate the 
design alone. May?’’ said the Guide, after admiring 
the objects placed in a row on the table. 

Yes, and the copper hinges and clasp are cut and 
hammered out of an old sauce-pan mother threw away 
a long time ago,” replied pleased May. 

'‘And does the key turn easily?” inquired Miss 
Miller, lifting the lid of the chest and examining the 
key-hole carefully. 

“ I haven’t found a key to fit yet ! ” laughed May. 

Then the Guide’s attention was given to an investi- 
gation of the elaborate bead-loom made and decorated 
by Zan as her contribution to the contest. 

“ Does it work, Zan?” queried Miss Miller. 

“ Not unless it is supplied with motive-power ! ” 

“ Then you must have tried it out with a bit of 
your tremendous energy,” retorted the Guide, smiling 
at the girl’s bright face. 

“ Not only tried it but finished a strip of bead band- 


94 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


ing that takes the cake! I have decided to make 
enough trimming to decorate a new ceremonial cos- 
tume that will turn every Woodcraft girl green with 
envy/' bragged Zan. 

'' That is a boast indeed I Did you include the 
Tribes of other Woodcrafters in that challenge?" 

Yep, everybody but Elizabeth Remington. She 
certainly has the loveliest beading I ever saw, but then 
she has had two years' designing at the School of 
Art," replied Zan. 

After many comparisons and due deliberation, it 
was decided to present May Randall with the prize 
for that contest. As May was a beginner and the 
chest was her first piece of work, it won a point above 
Zan’s loom, which also was a fine piece of work. Both 
of these objects were excellent bits of cabinet-work 
and so neatly finished and beautifully decorated that 
it was a draw. May flushed with happiness when she 
heard that Zan awarded the prize to her. 

‘‘ I think the plan of awarding prizes for best work 
is a good one but we should decide upon the prize 
before the. contest is started each week. What have 
you for May to-day ? " said Miss Miller. 

Well, this week we were going to present the 
winner a solid gold loving cup but our Wampum 
Keeper reported a state of bankruptcy so we had to 
sacrifice our wishes to conform with the exchequer," 
said Zan, solemnly, while the girls giggled. 

“ I suggested that we take a picture of May, so I 
brought my camera. It can be pasted in the Tally 


A PRIZE CHEST 


95 

Book and mentioned as the winner of the carpentry 
contest/' said Elena. 

And I thought the film could be enlarged to a 
size that will correspond with our cash on hand, and 
present it to May," added Hilda. 

“ If we make a picture each week of the prize-winner 
and article made it will add greatly to the beauty and 
interest of the Tally," ventured the Guide. 

‘‘ Come on. May, and pose over by the log scenery 
to have your picture taken," called Elena, starting for 
the Council Ring. 

Oh wait, Lena 1 Don’t let’s have an indoor pic- 
ture. It will look so much better if posed out-doors," 
cried Nita. 

Let’s go over to the fence-corner next to our 
back yard where the group of pines will make a pretty 
back-ground," suggested Frances Mason. 

“That’s fine! And we’ll stand May on some of 
our logs and have her look happy while holding her 
chest I ’’ exclaimed Anne. 

“When folks see May holding her chest in the pic- 
ture, they’ll think she had a bad cold," came from 
Zan, quickly. 

Everyone laughed but Anne added : “ Oh, you old 
tease, you know what I meant." 

“ All right, come on and show us what you 
meant I ’’ 

“ I wish to goodness we had a ceremonial costume 
here to dress May and do the picture up in a truly 
artistic manner," sighed Elena. 


96 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

Hilda and May are about the same size — why 
not run Hilda home to get hers? ” suggested Jane. 

“ It won’t take more’n ten minutes, Hilda, if you 
jump on a trolley! ” added Nita, when Hilda frowned 
down the proposition. 

A honking from an automobile horn was heard 
just then, and Zan jumped up to run to the door, 
saying: “Sounds like your machine, Jenny!” 

“If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over 
for the dress,” replied Jane. 

Before Zan reached the door of the gymnasium, 
however, the tousled head of Fiji Baker appeared at 
the opening and he called out ingratiatingly : “ Don’t 
stop the show for me; ' let joy be unconfined ’ as I 
just dropped in for a second to see Miss Miller. Jack 
is out front tying the bouquets we wish to throw at 
the famous dancer ! ” 

Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and 
told them about the new dance scheduled for that 
Council Meeting. 

“ Oh, Fiji, you came in answer to our prayers. I’m 
sure. We need someone to hustle Hilda over home 
for a most important package she forgot, and now 
Jack can fly while you talk with Miss Miller,” ex- 
plained Zan, pushing Hilda towards the door as she 
spoke. 

“ You’ll win a coup on this for ‘ first aid,’ ” said 
Jane to Fiji. 

But Fiji paid no attention as he was deeply con- 
cerned over some secret he was whispering to the 


A PRIZE CHEST 


97 


Guide. Meantime Hilda was urged to order Jack 
to drive as fast as he dared so she could be back with 
the costume before the sun went down. 

Before Fiji and Miss Miller had finished their en- 
grossing conversation, Hilda returned and the girls 
adjourned to the scenic-screen-room to dress the prize- 
winner in a befitting costume. 

May was posed first in one attitude, then in another, 
till everyone had satisfied her artistic sense of the 
picture to be, and perhaps they would all have had 
another trial had not May sighed, and cried: 

“ ril be so glad when you really click that trigger ! 
This box grows heavier and heavier every minute. 
Fm sure it weighs a ton by this time.” 

Several snap-shots were taken and May placed the 
“ ton ” prize-winner on the ground and stretched her 
arms. Then the Woodcrafters filed back to the gym- 
nasium, where Miss Miller explained the reason of 
Fiji's visit. 

Doctor Baker invites the Band to join the boys 
in a week-end camp near-by the city. Fiji said he 
and the other boys have been scouting about for some 
days trying to find just the right kind of a site where 
girls would be comfortable.” Miss Miller paused here 
to allow the announcement to sink in. 

Huh ! I guess Dad wants our Band to act as sort 
of a brake on those boys’ speed,” commented Zan, 
nevertheless pleased at the invitation. 

‘‘Won’t it be fun?” cried Jane. 

“Where will it be, Miss Miller?” asked Nita. 


98 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

“Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful 
place on the sea-side of Staten Island. ‘ The woods 
almost meet the beach,’ he said.” 

“ Oh, can’t we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Rem- 
ington told us of ? ” eagerly questioned Zan. 

“ We haven’t any to try with,” replied Jane. 

“ Fred Remington told Fiji the other day that it 
was the easiest thing to make. Just one, two, three! 
and it is done I ” declared Zan, snapping her fingers 
with each count. 

“I have it! Let’s invite Elizabeth to join us in 
camp and then add, as an after-thought, how nice it 
would be if she brought her plane,” exclaimed Nita, 
showing that there were still some undestroyed self- 
motives in her character. 

“ Even so, there wouldn’t be any motive-power 
unless Zan supplied some of her boundless energy,” 
laughed the Guide. 

“ It won’t work in deep water. Miss Miller,” re- 
torted Zan. 

“If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask 
Fred and Billy for their launch?” now suggested 
Jane. 

“Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?” 
chorused some of the girls. 

After a lively Council Meeting, the Woodcrafters 
started eagerly homeward for they were anticipating 
the camp and wanted to hear what the boys had to 
say about the plane and launch. 

But it happened that Fiji and Jack had already 


A PRIZE CHEST 


99 


thought of the launch and had invited Fred and his 
younger brother before the girls spoke of it. The 
plane was another matter and they agreed to see 
Elizabeth about joining them. 

The campers intended starting for the trip imme- 
diately after school on Friday afternoon. Three auto- 
mobiles — the Bakers', Huberts', and Remingtons' — 
would carry them and their luggage to the place se- 
lected. Fred, Billy, and Bob Baker would go in the 
launch, while Fiji and Jack planned to paddle their 
canoe around the Island to the beach where the camp 
was to be. 

The canoe owned by the two boys was kept on the 
lake in Branch Brook Park when the boys were in 
the city, but during their vacations they usually took 
it with them. It now had to be transported across 
the city to the Passaic River. Here the boys arranged 
to meet the express-man and sail it from that point to 
Staten Island Sound, thence to the sea-beach-shore of 
the Island. 

Fred Remington planned to sail the launch along 
the same route but he would start later in the day. 
The canoemen would start in the morning if clear. 
The girls in the cars would leave directly after school 
in the afternoon, and all expected to meet about the 
same time on the woodland site chosen by the boys. 

The days preceding Friday afternoon were an 
anxious time for the Woodcrafters for they feared it 
might rain yet hoped that the weather would be 
glorious. 


100 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


The camera picture of May and the chest was de- 
veloped and printed and proved to be a great success. 
It was named “ The Prize-winner,” and the film was 
sent away to be enlarged. Meantime, the Woodcraft 
Chest had been left on Miss Miller’s table in the gym- 
nasium as she wished to show it to the scholars who 
were becoming interested in Woodcraft. 

Tuesday afternoon, when she wished to lock the 
chest in her private closet, it was not to be found. She 
sought everywhere, asked the janitor, and telephoned 
the girls, but no one had seen or heard a thing about it. 

Miss Miller worried herself ill over the loss, not 
so much because of the value of the chest but because 
it proved there was a dishonest scholar in that school ! 
May was heart-broken too, as it was her first accom- 
plishment in Woodcraft and she was so proud of it, 
that she had invited all her friends to be sure and call 
to see it as soon as it was home in her possession. 
And now it might never be heard from again! 


CHAPTER SIX 


THE LOST CAMPERS 

TN Spite of pessimistic prognostications about the 
^ weather, Friday came and it was a perfect 
Autumn day. Fiji Baker and Jack Hubert were up 
at day-break as their express-man carted the canoe 
from the Park that early so it would not interfere 
with his regular calls and cartage for the day. 

Fred and his crew started at noon in their launch, 
and at three o’clock the merry Woodcrafters stood 
about the gymnasium door waiting for the three auto- 
mobiles which would have the luggage and other equip- 
ment packed in them before stopping for the girls. 

While waiting, Nita showed the girls a new Flower 
and Butterfly dance she had invented. It was most 
graceful and the girls applauded heartily. Miss Miller 
smiled as she said; 

'' Nita, there is no use in trying to train you for 
aught else than a dancing flower in a wandering breeze, 
or a charming little humming-bird that lightly caresses 
every blossom in passing.” 

“ Miss Miller should have a coup for spontaneous 
poetry,” laughed Nita, well-pleased at the Guide’s 
sincere praise. 

Yes, the Tribe must hand it to its Guide for find- 
101 


102 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


ing something religious or poetical in any prosaic thing 
she finds. Not that Nita is prosaic by any means, but 
there have been times when Miss Miller’s muse has 
been inspired with nothing more to base its flight upon 
than an ordinary dust-cloth or common potato ! ” 
laughed Zan. 

The sound of approaching automobiles caused poesy 
and dancing to end and soon the girls were gayly 
seated in the cars. Such chattering and laughter as 
sounded from the passengers as the machines sped 
swiftly cross-town and reached the ferry where they 
had to take the boat to reach Staten Island ! 

Miss Miller,” asked Anne Mason, as they waited 
for a ferry-boat to dock, “ can we new members start 
to collect flowers and do some tree lessons, or birds 
and star knowing, to catch up with your five founders 
of the Band?” 

‘‘ Yes, you can, but why not leave those studies and 
do them at odd times when the older members have 
other things to do? We might all work together at 
this camp to find many interesting things to start new 
collections. For instance, the shells and other marine 
objects.” 

‘‘ I never thought of that,” replied Anne. 

The new members are so anxious to have indi- 
vidual Tally Books, you see. Miss Miller,” explained 
Zan, ‘‘ and they haven’t any pressed flowers or blue 
prints or other things to record as we have in ours.” 

‘‘If only you would wait until we catch up with 
you,” sighed May Randall. 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


103 


** You can soon do that, girls, by using every spare 
moment when not otherwise engaged, to learn about 
the stars, find flowers and insects, and study trees and 
Nature in the Park. Then we can witness and sign 
your honour claims at a Council, ’’ added the 
Guide. 

‘‘You new girls haven't made your Tallies yet," 
said Hilda. 

‘‘ That is one of the things we want you to tell us 
about," said Frances Mason. 

“ I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather 
to give each girl a cover," now offered Zan. 

‘‘ And we have enough thong and beads to bind the 
books and tie the pages," added Elena. 

“ Then the girls ought to buy the page paper and 
make their Tallies at once, so everything can be en- 
tered in proper order," advised the Guide. 

“ Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of 
canoeman while we camp near the water," ventured 
Jane. 

Miss Miller said nothing to this but smiled and 
shook her head. She wondered if the girls understood 
the experience necessary before winning a degree of 
that kind. 

Jim, the Bakers' chauffeur, and Alfred, the Rem- 
ingtons' chauffeur, had each been given concise direc- 
tions how to find the camp-site. Bob had drawn a 
road-map for Jim, and Fred had sketched a rough 
plan of where to turn. So Jim led the three cars as 
they left the ferry. 


104 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob^s 
map. 

** I don’t seem to quite get this clear ! Master Bob’s 
got here ‘ Good woodland road,’ but all I can find 
is this swamp and that wood-cutters’ trail on the far 
side! ” said Jim. 

The other two cars came up, and Alfred said: 
‘‘ Can you make head or tail out of the map, Jim? ” 

‘‘ I was jus’ sayin’ that Master Bob must have been 
dreamin’ about this ‘ good woodland road,’ ” returned 
Jim. 

Let’s take this road — it looks fine — and see if we 
come to a woodland road further on,” suggested Miss 
Miller. 

So the opposite direction was taken, hoping they 
might find the good road mentioned on the map. 
After riding for twenty minutes more, the chauf- 
feurs suddenly found the sign-post marked on both 
maps. 

“Now ain’t that funny! It’s the post all right, 
but we never came by that woodland road ! ” declared 
Jim. 

“ Let’s be thankful we found one land-mark they 
put down for us to follow ! ” grumbled Alfred, where- 
upon everyone laughed. 

In vain did they seek for other land-marks or ob- 
jects to correspond to those marked on the maps. They 
found good roads but nothing to lead them to believe 
they were following directions. Finally, as they all 
halted for another conference, Alfred stood up and 


THE LOST CAMPERS 105 

looked about. He scratched his head back of the ear 
as if in a quandary. 

Let’s hear it, Alfred,” laughed Elizabeth. 

‘'Well, I was thinkin’! Your maw came this very 
road last Spring when she camped her Tribe on 
Decoration Day. Why not go this way and trust to 
luck to bring us to the boys’ camp ? ” 

“ It would be all right for us but what about the 
boys ? ” asked Zan. 

“ They have to pass by your site on their way 
up the shore and you can hail them,” suggested 
Jim. 

“ It’s growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents, 
get ready to cook supper, and lots of other work,” 
warned the Guide. 

“ Then let’s follow Alfred’s advice and take a chance 
on finding the boys,” agreed Elizabeth. 

As they started again to cross the Island to find the 
camping place Mrs. Remington had used that Spring 
Elizabeth told them what a Paradise it was. Woods, 
beach, cliff for diving, spring of fine water, and 
everything a Woodcrafter could wish for. 

Finally Alfred turned in on the hard sandy beach 
and in a short time stopped by a small promontory 
of sand that ran out like a finger into the sea. On 
top of this cliff and as far back as one could see, were 
the woods, with a clearing in the foreground that 
Alfred said had been used for the tents when Mrs. 
Remington camped there. 

The Woodcrafters exclaimed in surprise at the place 


106 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

that seemed made to order for them, and Zan added : 
“Fiji’s discovery can’t be better than this!” 

The chauffeurs helped carry the outfits to the clear- 
ing on top of the cliff, and when all was done, Alfred 
said : “ I ought to be goin’. Miss ’Lizabeth, ’cause 
your father comes in on that six o’clock train, you 
know, and it takes a full hour to get there from here 1 ” 

“ Oh, it can’t be five o’clock yet, Alfred,” cried 
Elizabeth, surprised. 

“ It is five of five,” replied Miss Miller, consulting 
her watch. 

“Good gracious! Where are those boys?” cried 
Zan. 

“We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will 
remain where we are for to-night, anyway,” added 
Jane. 

“Jim, if Fiji ’phones home to ask where we are 
try and direct him how to find us, will you ? ” said Zan. 

Shortly after the automobiles left, Elizabeth spied 
a fleck of white out on the water, and with her ex- 
perienced eye saw it bob up and down. 

“ Zan, bring the glasses ! I’m sure I see the white 
launch,” cried she, keeping her eye on the distant spot. 

“ Where ? I can’t see a thing but some white- 
caps,” said Zan, handing the glasses to Elizabeth. 

“ That’s because you never spent your Summers on 
an Island off the Maine coast like I have,” laughed 
the girl, focussing the glasses. 

“ It’s Fred and his crew, all right! ” cried Elizabeth, 
passing the glasses to Zan. 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


107 


** Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren’t they going 
very slow for a motor launch ? ” called Zan. 

“ Maybe something broke down and they can’t get 
in,” said Eleanor Wilbur, who had been more than 
pleasant and obliging all that week. 

“ No, they are labouring against wind and tides, 
I guess,” remarked Elizabeth, who was busy with a 
long strip of linen which happened to be packed with 
the stores when Mrs. Remington made up the ham- 
per. 

“What are you doing?” asked one of the girls. 

“ I’m using this linen Mother sent for bandages 
if we had to use them, for a signal flag. I’ll stick it 
out on that dead pine tree on the cliff and Fred will 
surely see it.” 

“ And we might build a smoke-fire,” suggested Zan. 

“ Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we 
are lost,” chuckled Jane, running to gather red pine 
bark. 

Finally, the steam whistle on the launch signalled 
that the boys had seen the smoke and flag, and later 
the launch beached where it made a good landing- 
place. 

The girls helped the sailors transport their luggage 
from the launch to the clearing on the cliff, and Zan 
remarked : “ I see you brought the aqua-plane.” 

“Bet your life! Betsy would have sent us back 
for it had we forgotten to bring it,” laughed Fred, 
as he climbed the sandy side of the cliff. 

Once on top where he found the Guide and other 


108 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


girls making camp, he said : Where are the other 
boys? Fishing?’* 

“ No, we never met each other as planned. I think 
they are camping at some other spot,” said Zan. 

“ They’ll hunt us up quick enough when it’s time 
for supper. You see we brought the hampers,” 
laughed Jane. 

Fred looked serious, however. ‘'We had a dread- 
ful time rounding the Island where the sea sweeps in 
through the Narrows. It was all we could do to stem 
the current. Even as it was, we had to go way out 
of our road to avoid the swift tide.” 

“ You don’t think anything could have happened 
to them, do you ? ” cried Zan, anxiously. 

“ I shouldn’t wonder but what they have been over- 
turned,” now added Eleanor, with her pessimistic 
propensity. 

“ Not that at all, girls, only they may have been 
swept so far out of their course that paddles couldn’t 
help them along very fast. Then they may have to 
camp wherever they are,” said Fred. 

“ All the same, you know as well as I do, that lots 
of folks are drowned off this shore — ’specially boys. 
You can read about a death that way every day!” 
persisted Eleanor. 

“ Then they didn’t know how to swim like Fiji and 
Jack do. Why, they’re regular water-rats 1 ” replied 
Fred, optimistically. 

“ Swimming won’t help much if they have cramps! 
Jhat sinks you like lead I ” countered Eleanor again. 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


109 


Miss Miller heard the whole conversation and also 
saw Zan and Jane turn pale when they first thought 
of danger to their brothers. Until this time they 
thought it a great joke that they had found such a fine 
site and were camping with all the foodstuff. 

At Eleanor^s first exclamation the Guide had 
frowned, for her religion was one of practical com- 
mon sense and cheerful optimism. She looked about 
for something to interest the girls and, at the same 
time, stop Eleanor from talking, so when she heard 
the last rejoinder to Fred’s attempts at encouraging 
Zan and Jane, she called to Eleanor: 

“ Will you help me unpack these hampers, while the 
other girls gather fire-wood? Zan, suppose Jane and 
you keep the signal fires burning on that cliff’s edge. 
The boys will see the smoke if they are near here.” 

Eleanor walked slowly over to Miss Miller, frown- 
ing as she went. But the Guide failed to notice it 
as she was busy with the camp dishes and pans. 

“ Will you put these bags of groceries over in the 
box that stands in my tent ? ” asked the Guide, hold- 
ing up the paper bags. 

“ Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the 
other girls are having a good time in the woods ? ” 
complained Eleanor. 

At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed. 

Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do 
this to stooping and collecting old wood,” said she, 
vexed at the girl. 

“ You take particular pains to make me do the un- 


110 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

pleasant things, I notice. Now, when I was trying 
to prepare Zan and Jane for the worst, you called me 
to get me away from them. Don’t I know ? ” sneered 
Eleanor, loftily. 

'' Woodcrafters never prepare for the worst! It is 
our rule to always wait for the best and let the worst 
take care of itself ! ” declared Miss Miller, wondering 
what under the sun she was to do with this undesirable 
character. 

‘‘ Oh 1 you are so preachy ! One never takes a turn 
but you have a lecture ready — generally on this Wood- 
craft ! ” cried Eleanor impatiently. “ The other girls 
flatter you by calling it ‘ poesy ’ and artistic tempera- 
ment, but I call ‘ a spade a spade ’ I ” 

Do you ? ” queried Miss Miller, suddenly making 
up her mind what to do. “ Then you won’t object 
if I ‘ take the bull by the horns ’ — another old say- 
ing!” 

“ You may take anything by his horns if you choose, 
it won’t concern me in the least ! ” said Eleanor, dis- 
dainfully, as well as significantly. 

‘‘ Then sit down right where you are ! ” ordered 
Miss Miller with a determined manner that made 
Eleanor glance at her in wonderment. 

“Sit down, I said!” 

“ Why should I obey you ? ” questioned Eleanor, 
stubbornly. 

“ Because I am in command of this camp and what 
I say goes without questioning. Either do as I bid 
you or take your bag and start for home at once ! ” 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


111 


‘‘Wh — h — y! You couldn’t do that!” gasped 
Eleanor. 

‘‘ We can oust you from camp and send you away 
but it is up to you whether you return home or hang 
about the woods.” 

Eleanor had never camped before and it was a new 
experience she had looked forward to because of the 
joys claimed by the other Woodcrafters. But to 
wander in the woods alone in the dark was quite a 
foreign plan to the one she had anticipated. She was 
hungry, too, and being sent away at once meant going 
without supper. She glanced from the corners of her 
eyes to see just how far Miss Miller might carry out 
her threat, but the Guide was watching her with a 
stern expression. 

Eleanor, not knowing what to do at the moment, 
sat down to gain time. Miss Miller, who feared she 
might weaken in her sudden and unprecedented man- 
ner of severity, immediately spoke. 

I have watched you most carefully for the past 
two weeks and I have seen things you never dreamed 
of! Now, I am going to have it out with you! ” 

At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She 
cowered as if she expected a blow, but she refused to 
look at the Guide. 

“You will remember a threat you made to May 
Randall the day you stopped to see how the girls were 
progressing with their work ? ” asked Miss Miller, 
referring to the lack of interest the girl displayed in 
carpentry and the unkind words she used to May. 


112 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN JHE CITY 


Oh for goodness’ sake don’t say a word about 
that old chest ! I wish to goodness I had never seen 
May Randall and her Woodcraft box! ” cried Eleanor, 
as if driven to desperation. 

Miss Miller was as surprised now as the girl had 
been a few moments before, but she rallied much 
quicker than the guilty one. The truth flashed over 
her quick mind and she changed her query accordingly. 

'' It is a pity that you ever gave in to temptation. 
You certainly can’t blame your covert acts on May 
or any other being. The evil we do is absolutely our 
own fault, for every man is a free agent to choose 
what he will do. Sometimes it is fear or cowardice 
that drives one to do an evil deed but it is the down- 
right criminal that obeys an evil idea or plan, knowing 
he is doing a thing that condemns him to the world 
and in his own estimation, too.” 

Well, what do you want to do about it ? Did 
you call me over here to tell me what you thought of 
me? Why didn’t you do it before to-day, then I 
wouldn’t have come ? ” cried Eleanor, still de- 
fiantly. 

I hadn’t the least idea of speaking to you about 
May’s chest until you brought it upon yourself. I 
was going to mention something entirely different 
until you compelled me to say what I did just now.” 

And you kept this secret all to yourself this 
week ? ” cried Eleanor, looking at Miss Miller with 
a kindlier expression. 

“ Eleanor,” said the Guide, catching at that tiny 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


113 


hope of softening the stubborn girl, “ I do not think 
another member in the Band dreams that you had 
anything to do with the missing chest, and I do not 
think anyone but you and I suspects the truth.” 

“ And you let me come with the Tribe knowing 
this about me?” Eleanor's gaze dropped to the 
ground and she sat thinking. 

According to Miss Miller’s code, when one began 
to think earnestly over anything, or tried introspection 
of one’s self, it was a symptom of recovery, even 
though there might be a long siege of diseased condi- 
tions before perfect health was attained. So she re- 
mained silent waiting for Eleanor to think some 
more. 

You’re either mighty fair to me or you’re keeping 
this thing quiet for fear others will hear of it and so 
belittle your influence with the girls,” finally declared 
Eleanor. 

‘‘ Don’t you think you are judging unfairly, after 
you just said T was fair’? Why should I hesitate 
to make you resign from our Tribe for doing a das- 
tardly trick with May’s box? No one but yoa and I 
would ever know the truth about it, and I’m sure you 
wpuldn’t mention it to anyone, because you are heart- 
ily ashamed of the deed. If I was afraid of others’ 
opinions about my Band of Girls, I would make you 
resign before any other tricks were perpetrated by 
you. But I am fair and I want to see you make good, 
now that you have this Woodcraft opportunity, hence 
I am talking to you instead of sending you away.” 


114 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

“ Then, all I can say, is, that you’re all right ! ” 
declared Eleanor. But in another second she felt 
suspicious again. 

“ I suppose, now that I’ve admitted the deed, you’ll 
have me up for a public reprimand. It goes with a 
teacher’s ideals of training!” 

The Guide could not but admire the girl’s quick 
mental powers and thought what a wonderful woman 
she would make if her character and mind were but 
trained properly instead of along the lines of this 
present example. 

“ I thought we might arrange it this way, if I had 
your word of honour that you would work hard to 
destroy the ‘ little foxes that destroy the vines ’ ; you 
can replace the chest by leaving it at my home, or 
send it by messenger to the gymnasium Monday noon. 
I will put it in the closet and send a note to May say- 
ing that the box was found but the conditions for 
return were that no questions were to be asked. At 
the same time I expect you to volunteer the informa- 
tion, thus clearing the school children.” 

Eleanor sat glowering at the Guide for full three 
minutes as if to read her true reasons for this leniency, 
but Miss Miller understood enough of psychology to 
realise that this was the great crisis. In that inter- 
change of heart-readings, Eleanor saw only truth and 
loving sympathy shine from the woman’s eyes, and 
Miss Miller saw the adamant of wilfulness break ever 
so little. 

The Guide knew that just so much love and for- 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


115 


bearance as she really felt in her innermost heart for 
this misled girl, just so much could she influence and 
lift her at this crucial time. So she prayed, oh, so 
fervently, to the Great Spirit for help and light to 
do exactly the right thing. And that silent prayer 
must have been the glorified light that shone from her 
eyes for it led Eleanor to melt as she had never melted 
before. She leaned her head over on the grass and 
wept bitterly. 

Miss Miller rose and left the repentant girl alone, 
while she noisily busied herself with the pots and pans. 
She knew that not words or pity but silent calling 
upon Omnipotence for strength and faith would be 
the balm that would help and heal this weak reed 
swayed by evil’s suggestions. 

As the Guide washed some potatoes she said to her- 
self in a low murmur : ‘‘ Lead us not into tempta- 
tion but deliver us from evil — for Thine is the 
Power ! ” 

Then : “ Miss Miller,” sounded a weak little voice 
at her side, “ shall I wipe the dishes with a clean 
towel ? ” 

Yes, dear, I wish you would.” 

' And that was all. 

Guess what we found. Miss Miller?” called a 
chorus of voices, as the fire-gatherers returned with 
armfuls of dry wood. 

“ Mushrooms ? ” 

‘‘ Wh — hy, who told you ? ” cried the girls, looking 
about for the messenger. 


116 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


That little bird just flew by and whispered it in 
my ear,’^ laughed Miss Miller, pointing to a great 
sea-gull that hovered over their heads. 

Everyone laughed and Jane added: “Yes, mush- 
rooms but not enough for all. If we only had a steak 
they would make a fine sauce.” 

“ Oh gee! That reminds me I forgot my donation 
to the party!” cried Bob Baker, springing up from 
the grass where he had thrown himself, and running 
down to the launch. 

“ Bob trawled all the way and caught some pretty 
good sized fish. I thought all decent sized fish were 
driven out of these waters by the traffic and pollution 
from sewers, but I was mistaken,” explained Fred, 
watching Bob run back with his catch. 

“ Now we can use the mushrooms ! ” cried 
Zan. 

“ Fred, why don’t you cook the fish the way 
father taught us on Sunset Island ? ” asked Eliza- 
beth. 

“Just as Miss Miller says,” replied Fred, looking 
at the Guide. 

“ Miss Miller says cook the whole supper if you 
like, then we can take a swim. You boys have had 
your dip, you know,” laughed she. 

“Now, how did you know that? We boys said 
We wouldn’t let you know it ! ” cried Bob. 

“ Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller,” added 
Fred. 

“ Anyone could tell Bob had been in, from his damp 


THE LOST CAMPERS 


117 


curly pate, and Billy still has the brine sticking up 
about his scalp. If I should need any further evidence 
I might say that one of the younger boys put on Fred’s 
socks by mistake, or else he made a blunder when he 
mentioned his size to the clerk who sold them,” said 
the Guide, smiling. 

Everyone glanced at Billy’s feet, and lo! the socks 
were hanging loosely down over his shoes, several sizes 
too large for him, while Fred’s turned-up white 
trousers showed socks so tight that they stopped the 
circulation at the top, but the tops only reached to the 
place where his shoes ended. 

A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the 
woods at the sight the three surprised boys made, and 
Zan said: 

‘‘ Just for that, you have to cook supper while we 
take a dip ! ” 

“ We’re game. Not because we took a swim before 
we got here, but because you’ve got such an all-round 
fine clairvoyant!” laughed Fred, looking at Miss 
Miller with admiration. 

‘‘Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?” asked 
Bob. 

“ They’ll be given something should they come 
straggling in late, but I firmly believe they went to 
their own camp-site and are now pitying us for not 
having found them,” said Miss Miller. 

“ And you can leave it to Jack to have something 
to eat! He never takes a chance on going without 
a square meal! ” added Jane. 


118 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ We'll keep the signal-fire going all night and when 
it is dark they can see it and get their bearings for us 
in the morning," suggested Fred. 

So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing 
suits and take a swim before the call came for supper. 


CHAPTER SEVEN 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 

“ /^OME ahead, boys, clean the fish and get them 
ready for me to cook,” called Fred, starting 
to dig a hole in the ground about twice the size of 
the fish. This he thickly lined with large sized shore 
pebbles which had been well washed. On top of these 
stones he built a good fire until it thoroughly heated 
the stones to a white heat. 

Meantime Bob and Billy cleaned and washed the 
fish, then placed a thick strip of bacon inside each 
one. They salted, peppered, and floured the fish ready 
to cook. 

When the fire-pit was ready, Fred raked out the 
cinders and put a layer of clean grass on top of the 
red-hot stones. He laid out the fish on this and cov- 
ered them with a layer of the grass, and on top of 
this he spread a thin layer of sand. Then he piled 
in the glowing cinders and kept the fire burning fiercely 
on top of Nature's sauce-pan. 

The Guide returned from her bath while the fish 
were cooking and expressed deep interest in the new 
method of cooking she saw demonstrated before her. 
Fred explained how he built the oven and a note was 
made to enter the splendid idea in the Tribe's Tally. 

119 


1^0 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ Are the fish most done ? asked Elizabeth, sniffing 
for an odour of the cooking. 

‘‘ Be ready about the same time the rest of the sup- 
per is,’^ replied Fred. 

That’s a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller,” 
said Zan, pointing to the sapling Fred had rigged up. 

“ I’ll tell you girls just how I made this fire-place,” 
offered he. '' Large stones are so plentiful about 
here, so I took some flat ones and built the fire inside 
the narrow aperture made by laying the stones in two 
rows parallel to each other. The sauce-pans stand 
close over the fire and are quite firm on these flat 
stones, and the building does not take as long to com- 
plete as a log fire-place. 

“These two green logs were found by Billy, and 
you can see for yourselves that the angle they make 
as placed, provides a resting place for various sized 
pots — small to large — the large ones setting on the 
widest opening of the angle. The fire built between 
the logs is easily kept clean by raking out the dead ash 
from the widest opening. 

“ Now this is a good form of pot-hanger where 
you want a kettle to hang directly over a fire. I found 
a good sapling that had a well-defined notch made by 
two branches. These I cut down to about three inches 
in length. The bottom of the sapling I trimmed to 
a point to drive into the ground the right distance I 
wanted. 

“Then I trimmed another forked sapling similar 
to the first but much longer. This I fitted into the 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 121 


crotch of the upright stick, with the forked end 
directly over the fire, and the opposite end held firmly 
to the ground by means of a stump or flat stone. You 
see, this forked device of the end over the fire keeps 
the handle of the pot from slipping off, and the long 
end held to the ground by a weight gives the kettle 
enough swing to resist any extra contents. 

“ While you’re all here seeing me do it, let me tell 
you a fine stunt if the weather is bad and tents are 
damp, or cots cold and uncomfortable,” added Fred, 
as he concluded his talk on pot-hangers. “ When you 
are through cooking dinner, you can take these red-hot 
fire-stones by means of a stout stick and a dishpan, 
and carry them to the tent. In a short time, the heat 
rising from the stones will dry the atmosphere. If 
the cots are damp and -cold, place the pan of hot 
stones under the bed and they will soon dry and be 
warm as toast all night. If you want the temperature 
of the tent to keep warm all night, place a layer of 
moss or grass over the stones. The rock will retain 
its heat for hours after removing it from the fire.” 

'^Well! If Fred Remington doesn’t know every- 
thing ! ” sighed Elena, admiringly. 

“ I wish you were a member of our Tribe,” added 
Zan. 

“ Who wouldn’t be an expert Woodcrafter with 
such a mother ! Why, she was an enthusiastic worker 
in the plan long before a regular League started. Be- 
sides, we spend our Summers on the Island in Maine, 
and what we don’t know from camping at home we 


122 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

ferret out from the farmers and fishermen on the 
Coast. My uncles own the neighbouring islands to 
ours and they enjoy out-door life, too. So we all 
have a good time experimenting with new ideas and 
remembering the good ones for future use,” explained 
Fred, eagerly. 

“ Fred knows so much about camping and cooking 
because he won a degree for Camp Cook. Besides, 
he and his Tribe go hiking and camping every Satur- 
day and Fred has charge of the party. I am working 
for the degree this year, and Fm sure I shall win it,” 
said Elizabeth, who was cooking a concoction she 
wished to try out. 

It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms 
with you, Elizabeth,” remarked the Guide, smiling 
at Zan. 

Oh, we found that out long ago. Miss Miller,” 
retorted the Chief. 

‘‘ What is that stuff you are fixing, Betsy ? It 
smells awful good,” asked Hilda, sniffing at the steam 
that rose from the pot Elizabeth was using for her 
brew. 

“ I call it ‘ hastychowder ’ and it is made this way, 
in case you girls want to try it sometime: To one 
can of corn, take four cups of potatoes cut into small 
dice, two ounces of salt pork, also cut fine, a small 
onion, and about four ounces of crackers. Fry the 
pork and onions brown and then add the corn and 
potatoes. Cover this with water and cook until the 
vegetables are soft. Then add the milk and some salt, 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 123 


and lastly the crackers. If the crackers are soaked 
in milk for a time before using, I think it makes the 
chowder better.” 

“ Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells 
mighty good to me,” said Jane. 

“ Girls, I wanted to have plain cooked rice with the 
fish, but how can I cook it when every pot and place 
is in use ? ” asked the Guide, looking at the array of 
pans and pots all holding food. 

“Ha! You’d make a poor tenderfoot if you were 
lost on the mountains with no outfit! ” laughed Fred. 

“ What would you do in that case ? ” asked the 
Guide. 

“ Watch me ! May I have a bit of this birch bark 
the girls brought back with them from the woods?” 
asked Fred. 

“ Help yourself,” replied Zan. 

Fred quickly selected a strip of bark about ten 
inches wide. This he folded end to end to form a 
round tube. The edges were stitched with wire-grass. 
- Then he sewed a bottom on one end and it represented 
a bark pail. Next he plastered clay on the outside 
seams, and rubbed some gum from a wild cherry tree 
on the seams of the inside, saying: “If we had time 
to let the clay dry I wouldn’t use the gum on the in- 
side, but now I need to make it water-proof.” 

Then he filled this vessel with water and selected 
two red-hot stones of a smaller size than the others, 
and dropped them in the water. Instantly, the water 
began boiling and the rice, which Miss Miller had 


lU THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

washed, was poured into the vessel and a cover placed 
over the top. 

‘‘ When our dinner is ready, the rice will be steamed, 
too,*^ said Fred, placing the bark vessel on a flat stone 
near the fire-place. 

Well I never! ejaculated some of the girls, while 
Elena hastily sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote 
down the rules for manufacturing it. 

Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready 
for the chowder,” called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid 
from the tip of a spoon. 

‘‘ I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this 
scrumptious meal,” said Jane, sighing as she thought 
of their loss. 

The chowder was dished up and eaten with sounds 
of many smacks and Ahs I ” Then the fish were re- 
moved from the oven and as the aroma of the flaky 
and sweet meat reached the nostrils of the Wood- 
crafters, a chorus of “ Urn’s! ” echoed about the camp- 
circle. 

Every morsel of that supper vanished like ice in the 
July sunshine and was declared the best ever tasted 
by the campers. The gray of evening crept over sky 
and sea and earth as the Woodcrafters sat about the 
dying embers of the camp-fire hoping for a call or 
signal from the two boys, which would warn them of 
their approach. But in spite of the torch Fred kept 
burning on the Cliff, nothing was heard or seen from 
the wanderers. 

Eleanor had been very quiet and meek sincQ her 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 125 


confession to the Guide, but old ingrained habits are 
not thrown off in one moment of repentance. When 
Fred returned from the Cliff with the report that he 
saw no sign of a fire or signal, she remarked: 

“ Well, you said the current was dreadfully strong 
just around the end of the Island. Maybe they 
couldn’t make it and are being carried out to sea in 
the canoe.” 

“Oh no, they’re all right,” assured Fred, glancing 
at Zan and Jane. 

“ But they may have lost the paddles, or a dozen 
of any many things may have happened. Boys are 
always careless with an open boat,” persisted Eleanor. 

“ Miss Miller, we’ll put an end to this dread by 
going to the nearest telephone station. If the boys 
think we’re lost they will ’phone home sometime be- 
fore morning, and then they can tell them where we 
are. If they have already ’phoned we will find out 
and rest easier for the news,” said Fred, pulling Bob 
up from his lounge by the fire. 

“ It’s too dark to see where we’re going,” grumbled 
Bob, who had enjoyed the chowder and fish overmuch. 

“ Not when my lanterns are ready. Watch me,” 
said Fred, picking up the two empty tins left from 
the corn, and slitting a hole in the side of each. The 
lid-ends were bent back and a candle fitted in the 
openings, then the jagged ends were pressed back 
into the tallow. The one end of the can was cut out 
entirely and the opposite end which had been cut open 
to remove the corn was bent back on the small piece 


126 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


of tin uncut and used as a handle for the impromptu 
lanterns. 

Enough light reflected from the shiny tin of the 
inside cans to show the boys where to walk, and they 
started off on the hazard of finding a house or village 
where they could use a telephone. 

Let's study the stars while they are gone. Who 
can tell us a new story or find the old planets ? " sug- 
gested Zan. 

So the time passed quickly until the campers heard 
a whoop from the woods and saw the flickering of 
the two lights as the boys approached the fire. 

‘‘ What did you find out? " cried Jane and Zan, as 
they jumped up from the grass to run and meet the 
messengers. 

“Good joke on Jack and Fiji! They just tele- 
phoned a few minutes before we did. They were 
wondering what had happened to you girls. They 
said that Bob knew well enough where to go as he 
saw the tree blazed as a sign for you," said 
Fred. 

“ So I did, but the day we came over to hunt up a 
site, we were in the auto and to-day I came by boat, 
so it looked very different. Besides, both places look 
alike as far as woods and beach and sandy cliff go," 
responded Bob. 

“Did they say they would look us up to-night?" 
asked Zan. 

“ They haven't the slightest idea where to find us 
in the dark, so they will remain at the carnp where 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 127 

they are and pick us up in the morning/' explained 
Fred. 

“ Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and 
sound, although I felt sure they were, right along," 
sighed Jane. 

‘‘Yes, indeed, two athletic boys like Fiji and Jack 
would be all right," added Eleanor, really believing 
her own words — such is the changeableness of a dual 
nature. 

The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as 
they stretched out weary bones on the cots or under 
the stars on soft pine beds. 

“ Gee ! This is the life ! " chuckled Bob, as he 
bounced up and down on the springy spruce-tip 
bed. 

“ Guess the midgets haven’t reached you yet 1 ” 
grumbled Billy, as he slapped viciously at an unseen 
plague. 

Then Fred began slapping and whipping the air, 
and finally Bob felt the mosquitoes and midgets bite, 
until all three boys jumped up again and began build- 
ing a smudge fire. 

“Oh boys! If you would only come over to our 
camp and help us build a smoke like yours! We can’t 
sleep a wink ! " cried Zan. 

Fred and his helpers soon had a number of small 
smudge fires burning about the tents and the girls 
thanked them sincerely as they felt relief from the 
pesky insects that make camping a trial. 

The gay carolling of a few late birds woke the 


128 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


campers, and Miss Miller was soon out ready to start 
breakfast. The others all declared for a morning 
dip, and were soon splashing and playing in the surf. 
The boys preferred to go in later, however, and take 
the morning hour before breakfast to catch some 
fish. 

Maybe we’ll get enough for breakfast and dinner, 
too ! ” said Bob. 

By the time the girls were dressed, the boys re- 
turned to land with three goodly sized fish and the 
news that they had spied a smoke rising from a camp- 
fire some two miles down the shore. 

It’s Fiji and Jack — I wish we could surprise them 
at breakfast,” laughed Zan. 

‘‘ I have an idea ! ” ventured Bob. Right after 
breakfast, let’s take as many as can get in the launch 
and start down the coast; the others can hike through 
the woods and meet us there. On the way back we 
will make the others ride home and the first batch 
walk.” 

I’ll ride the aqua-plane,” offered Elizabeth. 

'‘Why don’t you let some of the other girls do 
that ? ” asked Fred. 

" They don’t know how.” 

" But it isn’t hard to learn. I can show them how 
to balance in a few trials. Do you want to try after 
breakfast, Zan?” returned Fred. 

" Oh, I’d love it ! ” cried Zan. 

So breakfast was quickly disposed of because the 
girls anticipated great sport with the plane. Billy was 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 129 

detailed to steer the launch while Fred showed the 
girls how to balance and guide the ropes to make the 
aqua-plane skim lightly over the waves. 

After many upsets and great shouting and excite- 
ment, the girls could manage the plane quite well. 
Then as the young engineer increased the speed of 
the launch and the plane fairly flew over the water, 
the riders felt as if they were aviators, the sense of 
the rest for their feet disappearing in the dizzy pace 
with which they sped over the surf. 

“ I thought you folks wanted to hunt up the lost 
boys ? called Miss Miller, when she thought the girls 
had had enough of the drenching sport for that 
morning. 

“ So we will, now that we can take turns on the 
plane as we go alongshore,” called back Zan. 

“ We’ll have to draw lots for the pleasure — there 
are too many here to ride on the way down,” said 
Fred. 

The lot was chosen by having each girl draw a blade 
of grass from the Guide’s hand. The shortest piece 
would win. It fell to Elizabeth, and the other girls 
all said it was a reward for her sacrifice of enjoying 
the fun while the others were practising. 

The girls who were to hike were just ready to start 
out when a canoe shot around the point of the prom- 
ontory and a voice bawled out: 

''Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack 
and I have ! ” 

"I must say! You’re a nice host to lead a lot of 


130 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


innocent children a wild-goose chase on this barren 
island ! taunted Zan, so relieved to find her brother 
again that she expressed her joy in the usual sisterly 
fashion. 

“ Say, this camp-site is all right ! How did you 
stumble over it?^^ asked Jack, looking about at the 
white beach, the woods, and Nature’s provision of a 
spring, stones, and grass. 

Mrs. Remington camped here with her Tribe and 
Alfred remembered it. Goodness only knows what 
we should have done if we hadn’t found this,” ex- 
plained Jane. 

“ Humph ! wonder you wouldn’t start out when you 
landed and let a feller know where you were,” 
grumbled Fiji. 

“ We expected you every minute until night. Then 
we kept a signal torch burning all night and yelled 
and made fires until the Mosquito Fleet swooped down 
on us ! Then we smothered the fire and let it smudge 
to mislead the leaders of the Mosquito Army,” laughed 
Zan. 

‘‘Well, now we’re here we may as well stay, eh 
Jack?” remarked Fiji, knowing well that the present 
site was far superior to the one he had chosen for 
the camp. 

“Naturally! We brought ever 3 rthing we have so 
we won’t have to return,” said Jack. 

“Say, Fiji, don’t come that injured air act over 
us!” jeered Bob. “We hiked down to the nearest 
village and ’phoned home right after you did. Dad 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 131 


said he told you where we were and how we found 
this place.” 

Finding they could not hope for sympathy from 
the party, Jack and Fiji decided to change the subject 
and manifest an interest in the aqua-plane. 

Another hour of fun was passed in skimming the 
sea on the plane and then Miss Miller called them 
to attend to camp work. 

‘‘ Oh gee ! We forgot to tell the girls about the 
message Dad sent last night ! ” cried Bob, looking at 
Fred with concern. 

“ What was it ? ” demanded Zan. 

“ They are coming over to visit you this afternoon 
and take a dip in the briny,” said Fiji, to whom the 
same message had been given. 

“ Gracious ! suppose they take it into their heads 
to stay to supper ! ” exclaimed Jane. 

“We’d better ask Miss Miller about the state of 
the larder before we invite them,” laughed Hilda. 

When asked the important question. Miss Miller 
replied: “If the boys will catch more fish, and you 
girls go into the woods to dig up some food, we will 
do nicely.” 

“That reminds me! Jack and I brought along 
some big whoppers we caught this morning. I’ll run 
and get them,” said Fiji, starting for his canoe. 

“ And we can dig clams along the beach — instead 
of in the woods,” said Zan. 

“ Dig them ! Why, do clams grow under the 
ground ? ” cried Eleanor, sceptically. 


132 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Don’t tell me you never knew that ! Why, every- 
one knows that a clam swims in with the tide and bur- 
rows down in the wet sand to sleep. If you walk 
over its little mound it spurts water up like a geyser,” 
returned Zan. 

‘‘ Come on, girls, let’s make ’em spurt ! ” urged 
Billy, who was very fond of all sports, fishing included. 

The launch and aqua-plane were drawn up on the 
beach and soon sixteen busy clam-diggers were bend- 
ing over, laughing, and calling to each other, at every 
clam discovered. It was great fun. 

After half an hour of this pastime, the Guide asked 
Zan and Hilda to go with her and build a fire and 
prepare the kettle for the chowder. But they had 
scarcely completed the laying of the fire-wood when 
Eleanor joined them. 

“ Oh, my back aches so ! I think clamming is dread- 
fully hard work. How you folks can find sport in 
everything you do is beyond me. Now I would much 
rather help fix the fire and let one of you two girls 
take my place clamming,” remarked Eleanor. 

‘‘ The fire’s all ready, and Miss Miller is going to 
start the chowder. But you can help collect more 
wood from that grove so we will have a pile on 
hand,” said Zan, with a frown. 

Eleanor ran away and Zan looked at the Guide, 
but her face expressed nothing that would encourage 
the girl to criticise the indolent member of the 
Band. 

Eleanor was gone a long time without having 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 183 


brought in any wood when Hilda was asked to go in 
search of her. 

‘‘ Good gracious me ! Not only does Eleanor make 
a burden of herself for the Band but now she needs 
a nurse to watch and keep her from mischief ! ” de- 
clared Hilda, impatiently. 

Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of 
sight. Then she turned to the Guide : “ Now what 
next?” 

I have just been thinking that we might have 
potatoes with fish for lunch and save that chowder 
for supper when the visitors are here.” 

“ Um — it's very filling, I have heard,” commented 
Zan. 

Miss Miller laughed. “ Yes, and it needs a long 
time for cooking well. Besides, we won’t need to 
waste any good time over an elaborate meal with that 
chowder to found on.” 

“Will there be fish enough to go round?” asked 
Zan. 

“Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji 
and he caught at dawn this morning, so we ought to 
fare very well.” 

Hilda now came back with Eleanor strolling after 
her — Hilda carrying the heavy load of wood, and 
Eleanor whipping the heads from some late golden- 
rod with a switch. 

“ I found her stretched out on some moss blink- 
ing up at the blue sky ! ” reported Hilda, disdain- 
fully. 


134< THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Why shouldn't I rest after working so hard ? 
Look at the wood I found/' retorted Eleanor. 

Why didn't you lug it into camp ? There's no 
credit due you for finding a few sticks if you don't 
carry out the task to fulfilment," scorned Zan. 

“ Miss Miller, I’m sick of this business 1 I never 
was so hard worked in my life, and to think how 
everyone finds fault with me for not doing more," 
said Eleanor, testily. 

“ I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that 
you could start a list for your fish coups by knowing 
and studying the fish caught here. Suppose you all 
begin with these three kinds," suggested Miss Miller, 
wisely. 

'' That's so, we never thought of it," cried Hilda. 

‘‘ Dear me, why didn’t we try to place those fish 
this morning? Did you know them, Miss Miller?" 
asked Zan. 

Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so an- 
other fatality for the new member was averted. 

I knew the white fish we had this morning, and 
I see here is another. That other fish I believe to be 
a sea-trout but we will have to verify that by asking 
the boys. They will know." 

'' And that smaller one — if the boys know we will 
have three on the list already, won’t we?" said Zan, 
eagerly. 

‘‘Of course the boys know — they seem to imbibe 
knowledge of this sort by instinct. Why, a boy never 
has to learn to swim, he just flops in the water and 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 135 


sails along like a frog, while we timid females try and 
try again before we can get the stroke,’' declared Hilda. 

The clam-diggers came up with a large reward for 
their aching backs and sun-burn, and the plan of start- 
ing a list 6f fish was proposed by the Chief. There- 
after, more interest was shown in the three kinds of 
fish on exhibit than any of the girls could ever remem- 
ber before. 

While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a 
peculiar whistle sounded from the woods back of them. 

Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and 
enjoy this lunch,” teased Bob. 

“ You seem to forget that we girls won a coup for 
knowing our native birds this Summer. I know what 
kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else here recognise 
it?” said Zan. 

‘‘ Don’t tell ! Don’t — please. Let us new members 
try to place the sound and sight and begin on our 
bird coups/' interrupted Anne Mason. 

‘‘Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later,” 
added Frances. 

“ You girls go, and I will remain here with the 
boys to clear away the dishes and follow after you 
later,” offered the Guide. 

So the Band ran away and shortly after Miss Miller 
and her helpers finished the chores and went into the 
woods also. About an hour was spent in interesting 
study and pursuit of Nature’s lore, when a sound 
coming from the direction of the camp reached the 
crowd. 


136 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


** That’s a kind of bird I know at once ! ” laughed 
Zan. 

It sounds like the siren on your Dad’s machine,” 
ventured Jane. 

It is. I guess the company have arrived and are 
waiting for a welcome,” added Fiji. 

At that, the Guide turned and the Band trailed after 
her to the camp-site where they found the doctor im- 
politely prying into the state of the larder, and two 
ladies with two children laughing at his remarks when 
he discovered the fragrant chowder. 

Oh, there’s Edith and Baby ! ” cried Elizabeth, 
running to greet her mother and the children. 

Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great cere- 
mony, the doctor said : Some people have been busy 
this morning, judging from preparations for dinner.” 

“We just had to dig to provide enough for you — 
when we heard you had invited yourself to dinner 
with us,” retorted Zan, who always enjoyed a 'wordy 
combat with her father. 

“ Well, I must confess, I brought my normal ap- 
petite with me, so it will be fortunate if the others 
have anything to eat,” replied Dr. Baker. 

“If you admit your appetite is normal now, what 
will it be after you have had a dip in the briny?” 
laughed Fiji. 

“ To insure ourselves against emergencies I had 
Moses pack some of his unexcelled southern cake and 
pies,” answered Mrs. Remington, pointing to a huge 
hamper that had escaped notice. 





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A DIP IN THE 


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CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 137 

“ Oh, we know Mose! ” laughed Fred, running over 
to investigate. 

“Gee! Looka*here boys!” called Billy, as one 
goody after another was lifted up and displayed to 
the circle of gourmands. 

“ Come, come. Bill ! Leave them in the hamper so 
they won’t dry or be covered with ants,” advised his 
mother, going over to assist him in obedience. 

“ Who’s ready for a sea-fight ? In these days of 
deep-sea warfare we should have practise to be ready 
to swim after a U-boat, if necessary,” called the doctor, 
seeing the hamper once more left in order and 
safety. 

“ Me for the briny ! ” called Bob, running to the 
boys’ tent. 

That morning, Fiji had discovered a deep pool 
directly under the sandy point of the promontory, 
and this offered an excellent spot for diving. While 
the more timid jumped about or swam nearer the 
beach, the older and more experienced of the party 
enjoyed the dives and deep water. Teddy and Edith 
found an impromptu pier made of drift-wood where 
the launch was anchored, and here they played store, 
having tin cans and shells for receptacles to hold sea- 
sand flour and sugar. 

Long before the merry bathers were ready to come 
out, the Guide and Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Remington 
went to the tents and dressed. ' Then they began 
preparations for the supper-party. 

The doctor always provided fun and laughter 


138 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


wherever he went, so the evening meal was a jolly 
affair that night. After the young folks declared they 
could laugh no more, Mrs. Baker said without a smile, 
'' You all are most gullible.” 

“Why?” demanded a chorus of voices. 

“Why? Why to sit here and laugh while the 
doctor is making away with that chowder. I haven’t 
seen him pause a moment between spoonfuls while 
he had you all laughing too heartily to eat.” 

“ Then he’ll want to stay all night ! ” complained 
Bob. 

Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day : 
“ I hope to goodness he won’t 1 ” 

“That is all I’ve been waiting for — an invitation,” 
replied the doctor. 

“We can’t tuck you in anywhere. You’ll have to 
win a coup for sleeping out under the stars,” laughed 
Zan. 

“ Don’t worry, friends ! Doctor is only teasing. 
He has to be back in the city at nine to-night to meet 
a physician and consult over a case,” explained Mrs. 
Baker. 

“ Then we’d better make the most of the time left 
us,” urged the doctor, jumping up ready for anything 
proposed. 

“ Shall we dance? ” asked Nita. 

“Oh, be considerate! Remember I enjoyed the 
chowder more than was reasonable and I am not in 
a mood to play Na-na Bo-jou! ” warned the doctor. 

Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 139 

is one of the most active of all energetic dances per- 
formed by Woodcrafters. 

“ Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a 
story?'' suggested Mrs. Baker. 

‘‘ Let Mrs. Remington tell it — she is a regular book- 
ful of legends and Indian lore," quickly added the 
Guide. 

The id6a was heartily endorsed by the others and 
Mrs. Remington began: 

"'How the Weasel Got His White Breast. 

“A long time ago, before there were any Indians, 
the world was inhabited by spirits. These spirits were 
the souls of all the animals and plants and things we 
see to-day. One of them was called Kanhlalas, the 
Weasel. He was little and brown and lived in a field. 
One day a strange thing happened to him. Listen, 
I will tell you about it. 

" Near the field where the Weasel had his home 
there was a mountain. On top of the mountain lived 
an old man called Waida Dikit, the Speckled Trout. 
He felt lonely up there, so he sent for Saroki Sakahl, 
the Green Snake. When Saroki came Waida Dikit 
took him to his wigwam and said : 

" " My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke 
awhile.' 

" Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He 
smoked so much that soon Waida Dikit could not see 
across the wigwam. 

“ " My son,' said he, taking his own pipe from his 
mouth, " you are a strong smoker.' 


140 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ Saroki did not answer. After a time Waida Dikit 
stuck his head from the wigwam and saw that the 
whole world was covered with the smoke from Saroki^s 
pipe. Waida Dikit was frightened. He felt about 
on the floor for his flute. 

‘‘ ‘ You have smoked enough/ he said to Saroki. 
' Here is a flute. Let me hear you play.’ 

‘‘ Saroki took the flute and played for three days 
and three nights without stopping. By the end of 
the first day Waida Dikit could see through the smoke 
which was fast thinning, and he could see the other 
side of the wigwam. 

“ By the end of the third day the smoke was all 
gone and the blue sky could be seen once more. Then 
Saroki stopped playing. 

• ‘‘ ‘ You are a good player,’ said Waida Dikit, ‘ but 
I know a better one. He is Kanhlalas, the Weasel 
that lives down there in the field. I will send for 
him.’ 

In a little while Kanhlalas came, bringing his own 
flute. When he was comfortably seated in the mid- 
dle of the wigwam, Waida Dikit said to him: 
‘ Saroki Sakahl thinks he is a fine player. If you 
play he will know what a good player really 
is.’ 

“ Kanhlalas took his flute, swelled out his chest, 
and began playing. He played all day and all night 
without stopping. By morning he was so out of breath 
that there appeared a white stripe down the middle 
of his breast. He merely swelled out his chest a little 


CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END 141 


more and went on playing. Waida Dikit and Saroki 
Sakahl became frightened. 

'' " Stop ! ’ cried both of them. ^ Something will 
happen. We know that you are the best player now.’ 

“ But Kanhlalas would not listen nor would he 
stop playing. He only played harder and harder. By 
the end of the third day his breath was entirely gone 
and he had to stop. But it was too late! 

“ His whole breast was white as snow and from 
that day to this every weasel has had a white breast.” 

As Mrs. Remington concluded the story the campers 
signified their disapproval of such a short tale by de- 
manding another, but Dr. Baker declared it was time 
they started for home. 

“ But do wait and let us have one dance to pay 
Mrs. Remington for the story,” cried Nita, springing 
up ever ready to perform. 

“ Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of ‘ Sum- 
mertime,’ ” suggested the Guide. 

The Band then performed the song to graceful steps 
and motions and the audience loudly applauded when 
it was finished. 

“ Mother, why can’t I stay over-night with Eliza- 
beth and the other girls — ^Zan says they can find lots 
of room for a little girl like me,” pleaded Edith. 

“ Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is 
only for one night, you know,” added Miss Miller. 

“ Why, you seem to have so many already, that 
I would not like to add to the care,” responded Mrs. 
Remington, doubtfully. 


14^ THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


ril be so good, mother, that it wili be no care ! ” 
begged Edith. 

“And we will look after her, mother,’' added 
Elizabeth. 

“ I wanna stay, too ! ” now demanded the youthful 
Theodore Roosevelt Remington, aged four. 

“ No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home ! ” 
quickly said Edith. 

To the little girl’s delight, she was permitted to 
remain and the others started for home, leaving the 
weary hostesses to seek tents and cots where all were 
soon fast asleep, despite the mosquitoes. 


CHAPTER EIGHT 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 

A T breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller 
said : This being Sunday, we must find a quiet 
form of enjoyment.” 

“ That won’t deprive us of a swim, will it? ” asked 
some of the anxious campers. 

Why no, but I do not think we ought to shout or 
dance or do the noisy or boisterous things that are 
permissible on a week-day.” 

“ Let’s discuss it later. I am having such a fine 
time with this breakfast at present,” said Zan, munch- 
ing a mouthful of delicious camp-biscuit. 

So say we all of us,” laughed Jane, eyeing the 
platter that was in Fiji’s hands. It held two fish- 
cakes and she was keen for one of them. 

“ These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of 
yesterday and that steamed brown rice, are the finest 
I ever tasted,” remarked Fiji. 

“ Well, for pity’s sake take one and pass the other 
this way,” ordered Jane, losing patience as she saw 
Fiji compare the two to help himself to the larger 
one. 

“ I wanted the one left,” ventured Jack, teasingly. 

143 


144* THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ Fm the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice ! ” 

Everyone laughed at the twins as they generally 
argued this point of the hour’s difference in age, when 
it was a question of one obeying the other. 

You may be oldest but I am handsomest, and 
besides I have always been delicate. The doctor told 
Mom to give me more fish! ” retorted Jack. 

'' Hem — yes 1 They claim that fish is food for the 
brain, and goodness knows, you need something to 
develop that atrophied grey matter 1 ” taunted Jane, 
reaching for the platter. 

“Children! As Chief of this Tribe I cannot have 
such talk, hence I will eat the fish-cake myself ! ” de- 
clared Zan, taking the platter Fiji passed, and helping 
herself to the last bit. 

Everyone laughed at the outcome of the argument, 
and Jane sighed while Jack smacked his lips as he 
watched the Chief make a great to-do over the final 
crumb of fish. 

“ While we wash dishes and clear camp the boys 
can go and bring in fire-wood for this noon. Then 
we can have a story, if you like, until it is time to 
have a dip,” said the Guide, as they all got up from 
the grass. 

“ No sooner said than done! ” answered Fred, start- 
ing for the woods. 

When the chores were done, the campers gathered 
about the Guide who proposed that they go to the 
cliff and sit on the sand to hear the tale. 

“ Who’s turn is it for a legend ? ” asked Elena, 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 145 

after they had found comfortable positions on the 
warm sand. 

“ Doesn't matter whose — we always vote for Miss 
Miller/’ replied Hilda. 

A chorus of “ How’s ! ” approved this suggestion 
and the Guide smiled. 

“ Let me see ! I think I will tell you a Tlingit 
Myth. It is called ‘ The Wolf Chief’s Son.’ 

“ Famine visited a certain place in Alaska one time 
and many people died of starvation. But there was 
a young boy who always went to the forest with bow 
and arrow to hunt food for his family and friends 
and was never selfish about giving it to others. 

One day, as he was hunting, he found a little 
animal that looked like a puppy dog. This he placed 
under his blanket and carried home. When he washed 
it carefully and took it to his mother to see, she knew 
it was a wild forest dog. 

The boy then painted the dog’s face and feet with 
some red paint left him by an uncle and when he again 
went to the forest to hunt he took the dog with him. 
There the little animal ran about and brought his 
master grouse, birds, and other game, so the boy could 
carry home more food than ever before. And this 
was cooked in a basket-pot by his mother. 

“ The next day, the boy again put red paint on 
the feet and nose of the dog, that he might trace the 
little fellow as he ran through the woods. That day 
the game caught by the dog kept all the boy’s friends 
from starving. 


146 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY ^ 

“ One day, after the boy had traced the red trail 
made by the dog a long way into the forest, he found 
the little animal had found and killed a mountain 
sheep. This was taken home and the fat part given 
to the dog as a reward. The rest of the sheep kept 
the boy's kindred alive that week. 

‘‘The next time the boy and his wild dog went 
hunting, they found a large flock of mountain sheep. 
The dog ran in and killed every one for his master. 
The best one was cut open and the dog was fed the 
tenderest part and the other sheep were enough to 
keep most of the villagers from starving. 

“ Then the boy’s brother-in-law grew jealous of the 
many kind things the villagers said of the boy who 
hunted and brought in so much food. He went to 
the boy and said : ‘ I wish to hunt and want to borrow 
your dog.’ 

“ The boy did not like to loan to another the little 
wild forest companion he had become attached to, 
so he asked: ‘ What do you want of my dog? ’ 

“ ‘ It is doing great things for you and I too wish 
to find food without striving hard for it,’ replied the 
man. 

‘‘ The boy sighed but his sister implored him to 
do as her husband asked, so the boy brought his little 
dog and carefully painted his feet and face. Then 
he turned to his brother-in-law and said: 

‘ When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the 
best part. I always do that and the dog knows it.’ 

“ The man took the dog and they went to the moun- 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 14*7 

tain where a flock of sheep was grazing. The dog 
ran in and soon killed every one of them, but the 
hunter cut open an old ram and threw the entrails in 
the dog’s expectant face, saying, ^ Dogs eat the insides 
when a man needs the tidbits and outside flesh of an 
animal.’ 

‘‘ The little dog stood motionless for a moment, 
then, instead of eating the entrails as ordered, ran 
straight up the mountain-side yelping and crying piti- 
fully, for the gall smarted as it ran into his eyes. 

The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but 
the boy looked about quickly and said : ‘ Where is 

my little dog ? ’ 

‘‘ ' Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the 
sheep.’ 

“ Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that 
she tell him just what happened on the mountain- 
side. 

“ She told the boy what her husband had done with 
the entrails and how the dog ran up the mountain-side 
yelping. 

“ ‘ I wish I had not loaned my dog ! I did not 
want to, but you coaxed me to it. This shows what 
folks do with borrowed property that they have not 
worked to make perfect. They use the good of it 
and throw away what is left. Now I demand that 
your husband show me the way the dog went,’ cried 
the boy, in great distress. 

“ The sister told her husband he must show the boy 
the place where the dog ran away from him. Once 


148 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


on the mountain-side, the boy saw the red tracks made 
by his dog and these he followed until he came to a 
large lake. 

“ Now the forest dog was really the Wolf Chief's 
Son and because the boy had painted the dog’s face 
and feet with red paint a wolf has red on its feet and 
around its snout to this day. 

“ Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how 
he could cross it to reach a town he saw on the op- 
posite side of the water. As he wished he might get 
across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his 
feet. 

“ He jumped back in time to see the square of 
earth where he had been standing open outward like 
a door on hinges. Then a woman’s voice quavered 
forth : ‘ Come in, come in, my son.’ 

“ The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting 
by the roots of a forest tree, crooning over a pot of 
broth she was stirring. 

“ ' I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help 
you. What do you here all alone ? ’ 

“ Then the boy told about his little dog and how 
he would like to find it again. 

“ ‘ His people live on the other side of the lake. 
He is the Wolf Chief’s Son, grandchild — he is not 
a common dog,’ said the woman. 

‘‘ ' How can I get over there ? ’ asked the boy. 

‘‘ ‘ I have a little canoe — you may use that. Here 
it is,’ replied the grandame as she picked up a 
shrivelled leaf and handed it to the astonished boy. 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 149 

‘ How can I sit in this — it will not carry me ? ’ 
said he. 

‘ When you reach the lake-side just shake it open 
and it will swell large in the water. Step in, stretch 
yourself out in the bottom of the canoe and wish your- 
self across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the 
other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will 
come.’ 

“ The boy did as directed and reached the opposite 
side of the lake, but instead of wishing the canoe back 
again he wished it a leaf and this he placed in his 
pocket for future use. 

“ At the Wolf Chief’s village he found some boys 
playing tug-of-war with the ends of the rainbow. He 
stood watching for a moment but he came for his 
little dog so he inquired the way to the Wolf Chief’s 
wigwam. It was at the end of the village. Here he 
found the people sitting about an evening fire and the 
little dog was playing in front of Wolf Chief. 

‘‘ The boy watched and called joyfully to the dog, 
but the Wolf Chief growled forth : ' A human is 

near us. Clear a way before him.’ 

“ At that the little dog ran up and sniffed the 
stranger. He knew him at once and caught his gar- 
ments between his teeth and dragged the visitor over 
to his father, Wolf Chief. Here he barked out the 
story of the boy’s kindness to him when he was down 
in the valley. 

‘‘Then the Wolf Chief welcomed the boy, saying: 
‘I sent my son to help you hunt when I heard how 


150 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

you were helping the people to keep from starving. 
Because you were grateful to your dog I will show 
you more kindness. My boy shall not go back with 
you, but this is what I will give you : This fish-hawk’s 
quill to hunt with. Whenever you meet a bear or 
sheep, hold the quill straight out and it will fly from 
your hand to lodge in the animal’s heart. Then re- 
move the quill and clean it well to keep for another 
trial.’ 

“ The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief. 

Then the Wolf Chief added : ‘ I will also give 

you a great treasure as I see you are a grateful lad.’ 

“ He removed a blanket from a tripod and handed 
it to the boy. ‘ Use this for sickness or death. If a 
friend is ill cover him with this blanket and he will 
immediately recover again.’ 

“ Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly. 

Then the Wolf Chief placed something in the 
boy’s mouth, saying : ‘ Swallow this as you have a 

long journey before reaching your home again. This 
will keep you from being hungry or weary.’ 

‘‘ Then the little dog and the boy wept over each 
other, for they had been fond companions, and the 
boy started homeward, being very careful of the quill 
and medicine blanket. 

‘‘ As the boy came down the mountain-side near the 
village he met a bear that stood in the trail and growled 
at him. He held the quill straight at the beast and it 
flew right into the bear’s heart. Then the boy took 
the quill and cleaned it well. Next he cut some bear- 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 151 

steaks for immediate use and covered over the re- 
mainder. 

The boy reached his village from which he thought 
he had been absent only two days and nights, but he 
found he had been gone two years — so swiftly had 
the time passed while he had been at the Wolf Chief’s 
village by the lake-side. 

‘‘As he entered the village he found it had been 
totally destroyed and everyone was dead. He felt 
dreadfully sad at this discovery but he remembered 
the medicine blanket, and this he placed over every 
member of his family and they immediately came to 
life. Then he placed it over everyone in the village 
and brought them all back to life — even the brother- 
in-law who had been so ungrateful. 

“ When all were alive once more they needed food 
so the boy ran to the mountain and found a great 
flock of wild sheep. With the quill he soon killed 
them and ordered the people to carry them home. 

“ The villagers were so astonished when they saw 
him kill wild beasts with a quill that they agreed to 
have him hunt for the entire village and promised to 
pay him with skins and weapons for the meat. 

“ When the villagers were nourished they told the 
boy that while he was absent every tribe of people 
were killed by the famine and the plagues. The boy 
then decided to visit the nations and revive the people 
by means of the medicine blanket. This he did, but 
he only brought the good and beautiful back to life, 
leaving the cruel and vicious, and deformed ones, 


152 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


dead. And this he did for every creature on the 
earth. The bad and worthless were killed off with 
the quill but the good and faithful creatures were kept 
alive with the blanket. Thus it happened that the 
earth became a beautiful spot to live in, for all men 
were as brothers, and all creatures walked in the trails 
of man without fear or desire to kill. And to this 
day, the boy feeds his people and everyone is happy 
and at peace.’^ 

As the Guide finished her story the Woodcrafters 
cried “ How ! How ! but Fiji said : I wish we had 
that blanket and quill at this present time ! ” 

''No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter 
end, I guess,’’ added Fred. 

" And starvation or famine and plagues for the 
world I ” sighed Zan. 

" I’m not so sure but that the Hunter with the 
Medicine Blanket of Life is again on earth to revive 
all the good and true people to everlasting joy and 
peace,” ventured the Guide, quietly. 

" Why, just think, if Fred or Fiji were two years 
older they would have to go to France and be killed,” 
cried Zan, fervently. " Some day in the future maybe, 
Miss Miller, but no one can say there is joy or peace 
with all this misery brought about by war.” 

" No, my dear, not in the future — right now ! I 
firmly believe that the world will awaken to realise this 
wonderful state of existence shortly. And if we be- 
lieve any part of the Scriptures we must believe the 
prophecies of many writers of that Book. There is 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 


153 


no room for doubt that this is the time that is spoken 
of as ‘ The Day of the Lord.’ But let us consider 
other things now, even though Sunday is a good day 
to discuss the heavenly conditions that will prevail 
the moment the ‘ dragon ’ is over-powered. You see, 
I become so tremendously interested in this warfare 
of Michael and Gabriel, the Two Angels that war 
against the Dragon and the Beast, that I dare not 
pursue the subject further. You would oust me from 
the Tribe if I talked of nothing but the New Jerusa- 
lem. You are here to talk of Woodcraft instead,” 
said Miss Miller, springing up and looking brightly 
around for a new form of entertainment. 

“ I wonder how many of you ever gave a thought 
to the Woodcraft work secrets contained in the sea? ” 
said Miss Miller, gazing down from the plateau to 
the stretch of glistening beach where the tide was 
nearing its highest mark. 

In the sea ? ” laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the 
others joined the Guide and looked where she did. 

** Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too. 
Come, and I will show you a few.” 

Miss Miller picked up a glass fruit jar which had 
held some preserves from home, and advising the 
others to find receptacles for the collection she would 
show them, started down the sand-bank. 

First, I would suggest that each girl find five or 
ten smooth round sea pebbles as near a size as possible. 
These we will ask the boys to carry in their pockets 
for us. I will show you what wonderful jack-stones 


154 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


they make. In fact, the game originally was played 
with smooth stones. It was only in later years that 
the iron imitations were manufactured and placed 
upon the market. 

'‘Then let me tell you, that a collection of large 
oval light-coloured stones make the prettiest sort of 
a marker to line off a flower-bed or pathway. If they 
are well set in sand they will not roll or become muddy 
from the rain that falls upon the soil of the garden. 
The sand holds them in place and keeps them clean. 

" Another suggestion for Hand-craft for a Wood- 
crafter, is this: find a large flat oval stone washed 
smooth by the sea and upon one side you can paint 
a marine picture or, if you cannot paint, a conven- 
tional design can be used to decorate it. This makes 
a lovely paper-weight for a friend, or for your own 
desk. 

“ For Edith and her little brother, we can hunt for 
pebbles that resemble fruits and vegetables. Then the 
Little Brownies can play store to their hearths con- 
tent.” 

" That will be fine. Miss Miller, and I’ll help the 
girls find what I need for a store,” declared Edith, 
accepting the suggestion for the deed. 

" Let’s hurry then, as Edith will want us to collect 
every pebble on the beach — I know her aspirations 
when a new game is mentioned,” laughed Elizabeth. 

" She isn’t ' the only pebble on the beach ’ for that 
weakness,” commented Fred, looking at his elder 
sister. 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 155 

‘‘Chump Mark for Fred — he used slang T’ cried 
Elizabeth. 

But Zan was busy watching the Guide fill her glass 
jar with certain pebbles, and the hint to bestow a 
Chump Mark was passed by. 

The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining 
crevices with salt water, then screwed the lid on the 
jar. 

“ Now, look at this — isn’t it pretty? Do you think 
a bottle of these beautifully coloured and veined sea 
pebbles will elicit an interest if sent to a sick friend 
or a bed-ridden child in a Home ? ” asked the Guide, 
holding the jar at arm’s length that all could see the 
varied hued pebbles which were enhanced by the salt 
water. 

“Aren’t they just lovely! But where under the 
sun did you ever hear of these things, Miss Miller? ” 
cried Jane. 

“ I wish we had baskets to hold a bushel of these 
pebbles and we could fill lots of wide-mouthed bottles 
from Dad’s office to present to his little patients at 
the Children’s Hospital,” said Zan. 

“We might fill the empty boxes we were going to 
burn up when we cleaned up camp,” suggested Hilda. 

“ Boys, you run up to the camp and bring us the 
boxes while we collect the prettiest stones we can 
find,” said Zan, leading the way along the beach. 

The boys did as ordered and, the tide running out 
fast by this time, the girls soon found marvelously 
figured and coloured pebbles left on the sand. 


156 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“Now that we are at this collecting work I may 
as well add the secrets of the shells. If you place 
various shapes and kinds of shells with the pebbles 
the bottle will look even prettier than if filled with 
stones alone,” suggested Miss Miller. 

“ Elena, do you see these deep white scallop shells ? 
They make splendid paint-cups for water-colours. I 
always use them in preference to china dishes,” said 
the Guide, turning to the artist. 

“ Girls, let us gather as many as you think we will 
need this winter for our art-work!” exclaimed Zan, 
and thereupon, the girls busied themselves with the 
new diversion. 

“ Here we are. Miss Miller, what shall we do with 
the boxes we were sent for? ” called Fiji, sliding down 
the steep incline of the sand-dune. 

“Oh — let the boys find the pebbles and fill the boxes 
for us while we collect the shells,” cried Jane, looking 
at the Guide for approval. 

“ Do you boys wish to do that ? ” asked she. 

“ Cert. Anything you say. We haven’t a thing to 
do until church is over, you know,” laughed Jack. 

“Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a 
heap more fun than I would have believed possible,” 
declared Zan. 

“ As long as the boys are doing that work I can 
show you girls some other secrets,” said Miss Miller, 
looking for deep large-sized clam shells cleansed as 
only the sea can wash a shell. 

“ This kind of shell make the nicest kind of rame- 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 


157 


kins for baked fish, or tarts, and other small side-dishes. 
They also can be used for bone-dishes or small side- 
plates when camping. 

'‘Now see these yellow opalescent shells? Well, 
they make pretty salt and pepper dishes. Even for a 
city table, they are unique and artistic. I have often 
grouped three in some glue on a round wooden disk 
and decorated the wood with pyrography and then 
used the small sea-snail shells to glue under the thre^ 
centre pieces. It looked too pretty for anything when 
completed and ready to send to a friend for a gift. 

“ I also have made pin-cushions of two fitted scal- 
lop shells. The hollow is filled with saw-dust, and 
a strip of satin or velvet covering the slight aperture 
made by the opened shells is glued inside the shells. 
A ribbon sewed to the hinge of the shell is used to 
hang the cushion on the side of the dressing-table 
mirror.” 

“ Oh dear me. Miss Miller, wait a minute till we 
get time to take it all in,” laughed Elena, eager to note 
everything the Guide said. 

" Girls, let’s collect the shells necessary for the 
things Miss Miller explains about, and then we can 
have her teach us how to make the things some day 
at the Gym,” suggested Zan. 

“ That’s a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else 
do you know about shell secrets?” added Jane. 

“ I have made beautiful portieres of these golden 
paper shells. Most of them have a small hole in the 
end — see there? And some haven’t the tiny perfora- 


158 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

tion — these I burn in with a red-hot hatpin so that 
each shell may be threaded on a strong length of 
Japanese cord. This cord is finer and stronger than 
any made in this country, and is used for bead-curtains 
and reed portieres. 

“ After threading a shell you must tie the cord once 
in and out the hole to keep the shell from slipping 
down and crowding the others that are threaded on 
the same cord. 

“ I have also trimmed decorative scarfs with this 
kind of shell fringe, but fancy scarfs are not in vogue 
now as much as they used to be. 

These two ideas will give you many other ideas 
where the shells can be used, I should think Elena 
could suggest some new ways.’’ 

‘‘ Oh, oh, OH! Listen to me ! ” shouted Nita, 
jumping up and down frantically, as she waved both 
arms about in her excitement. 

‘‘ Goodness sakes ! I thought Nita stepped on a sea- 
serpent ! ” laughed the Guide, turning to hear the 
great news. 

“ Won’t it be perfectly grand to have a costume 
covered with these sea-shells, and fringes of them 
hanging down from the skirt and sleeves, so they will 
rattle when I dance ? I will invent a sea-dance to 
go with the costuriie. What about it, eh?” cried 
Nita. 

“Great! If we only had another day to stop here 
and collect the shells,” returned Jane. 

“ Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 159 

honour from Headquarters for an ideal dance and 
costume like that ! ” said Zan. 

Girls, you go on and get whatever you want for 
shell-work and just leave that dress to me. I’ll dig 
and pick all day till it’s time to start for home, but 
I’ll have that shell dress or die!” promised Nita, 
eagerly. 

We may as well help Nita with her work as we 
can use any left-over shells for our fancy work. I 
was only going to add, that work-boxes hinged with 
a strip of glued muslin on one edge of the lid and 
decorated with sea-shells glued on the outside, are 
very pretty gifts for friends. 

'' I have also made lovely picture frames, and mir- 
ror frames of wood covered with different kinds of 
shells. In fact, there are endless ways of using these 
pretty little trifles cast up for us by the bountiful 
sea.” 

While you talk. Miss Miller, we will collect, as 
the surf is leaving more and more shells on the sand 
as the tide recedes,” said Hilda, eagerly picking up 
everything she saw. 

^^O-oh ! but it makes your back ache terribly I Mine 
is simply broken in two and I can’t stoop another 
time ! ” declared Eleanor. 

‘‘ Oh be a sport, Ella ! Don’t spoil everything by 
your whimperings,” said Zan, expressing disgust in 
her voice. 

I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your 
bones would ache, too ! ” retorted Eleanor. 


160 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ Thank goodness Fm no hypochondriac! ” snapped 
Zan. 

Eleanor was not sure what that word meant, so she 
hesitated to publish her ignorance. She was quite 
sure, however, that it was Latin for some illness 
known only to a doctor or his immediate family. The 
fact that she could not reply made her more peevish, 
and she turned without another word and walked back 
to camp. 

“ Well I never ! If she isn’t the poorest kind of a 
Woodcrafter a Tribe ever had the bad luck to have 
hang on to its wings 1 ” exclaimed Zan, watching the 
girl saunter away from her companions. 

The other girls tittered but the Guide said : “ Oh 

she’s coming on fine, I think ! ” 

“ Miss Miller I ” gasped several voices. 

“You don’t believe me, do you? Wait and see! ” 
rejoined the Guide. 

“ Well, you always did have a gift for seeing 
‘ swans where others only saw geese,’ ” said Zan, 
whimsically. 

The boys now were heard shouting and the girls 
turned to see them making signs. They said they 
were going to the camp and start dinner. The Guide 
signalled that it would be all right as far as she was 
concerned, so the girls kept on gathering shells until 
the call came for dinner. 

Before they reached the camp, however, they saw 
the boys standing on the end of the promontory gazing 
through the glasses out at the Sound. When they 


QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY 161 

were near enough, they heard Fiji shout through a 
megaphone made with his hands : 

“ Hurry up ! Comp’ny ! ” 

“ Land's sake, who can it be ? " cried Zan. 

Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see 
the white sails of a boat that was heading straight 
for the site. 

‘‘If that isn't Dad I'll eat these shells!" cried 
Elizabeth. 

“ Spare enough for that costume of Nita's," laughed 
Jane. 

“ She won't have to crack any teeth on that wager 
'cause it is Mr. Remington," now said Zan, as the 
sail-boat tacked ever nearer to the crude pier off the 
point of land. 

To witness the reception accorded the visitor one 
would think Mr. Remington was the long lost Robin- 
son Crusoe. But the moment dinner was over the 
boys began to tease for a sail in the boat. 

“We girls want to go, too," declared Elizabeth. 

“ The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is 
to take you in installments. ‘ Ladies and children ' 
first," laughed Mr. Remington. 

“ All right, give the girls a little sail and then take 
us boys for a trip to catch fish for supper. We ought 
to get a fine mess with a boat like this," suggested 
Fiji. 

“ That's only your excuse for a far longer sail than 
we can have," pouted Jane. 

“ Now it isn't at all, Jenny! But there isn't a crumb 


162 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


of anything but dessert for supper, you know/^ said 
Jack, very ingratiatingly. 

“ Miss Miller, I can testify to there being an abun- 
dance for another meal to-day, as I left a hamper of 
good things to eat at the temporary refrigerator you 
built near the camp-kitchen,” laughed Mr. Remington, 
motioning for the first installment of girls to get in 
the boat. 

The entire afternoon was given to sailing and watch- 
ing the others sail, as turn and turn about was taken. 
Then supper-time came, and before this was over the 
automobiles sounded their horns as they came through 
the woodland road to take the campers back to the 
city. 

“ Do you know, it seems as if we have been at camp 
for a month — so much has been crowded into these 
two days,” declared Zan. 

“ Same here,” agreed the other Woodcrafters. 


CHAPTER NINE 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 

'C' ARLY Monday morning a messenger boy brought 
May Randall’s Woodcraft chest to the gymna- 
sium and handed Miss Miller a note. The letter was 
type-written on plain paper so no clue was given to 
the sender or writer. Just a few lines saying how 
sorry the writer was that the disappearance of the box 
had caused the trouble it had. 

The note was not signed and many conjectures were 
made as to who could possibly have sent it, or where 
the chest could have been all this time. Even Eleanor 
seemed as anxious as any other girl to find out who 
sent the note or took the box away only to return it. 

To every query as to who the culprit might be, Miss 
Miller shook her head and maintained a strict silence. 
But she was greatly disappointed in Eleanor, for she 
had no idea the girl could act the part of a hypocrite 
as perfectly as she was doing in this case. 

That afternoon, when the other girls had gone to 
Zan’s house to work on the bead bands, Eleanor 
stopped in at the gymnasium to see Miss Miller. 

“ Don’t you think I carried it out well ? ” said she, 
as she sat in the chair beside the Guide. 

163 


164 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ It all depends on what one considers ‘ well/ ” re- 
plied Miss Miller, earnestly. 

“ I mean — I got away with the note and return of 
the box without anyone dreaming who it was,” ex- 
plained Eleanor, evidently eager to have the teacher 
commend her sagacity. 

I am sorry you have such a short-sighted view of 
right and wrong. The last deception you played is 
even worse than the first, for you were informed of 
your mistake and ought to make full amends. As you 
have left it now, every innocent boy or girl in school 
may be wrongly thought the thief ! ” 

Miss Miller purposely used the hard term “ thief ” 
to try and rouse the girl to a sense of her obligation. 
It seemed to bite in. 

“ 0-oh — Miss Miller! ” gasped Eleanor. “ No one 
can call a practical joke a theft! You are dreadfully 
strict and unfair.” 

“ As I said before, there is only one thing left for 
you, in honour bound, to do. And that is to tell May 
all about the trick — as you name it — and let her tell 
the other girls if she likes,” replied Miss Miller. 

“I just guess not! Vm not so stuck on this silly 
old Band as to obey your fanatical advice. Til get 
out of Woodcraft first! ” snipped Eleanor, as she got 
up and hurriedly left the room. 

The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head 
upon her arms that were resting on the desk. 

“ I am not so sure but someone else will do better 
in my place as Guide. The other girls are so good 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


165 


and lovable that I can work wonders with them, but 
it was not the lambs in the fold that our Saviour 
sought to save — they were perfectly safe already. It 
was the disobedient, wandering lamb on the mountain- 
steeps. And He saved it. This lamb seems beyond 
my call or power to reach.” 

Then suddenly came the brightening flash of Nita 
and the wonderful reformation worked in the girl 
when all seemed lost. And the temporarily dis- 
couraged Guide stood up and smiled., 

“ ril do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all 
aid!” 

During that week, plans were made for another 
camp to be enjoyed from Friday afternoon to Sunday 
evening. This time the girls decided to climb the 
Orange Mountains to seek an inland site. For this 
outing, the Guide had asked the girls to write up short 
essays or comments on various subjects that would be 
of interest to an out-door student. 

One request was for facts on forestry movements. 
Another required the girl to find something interest- 
ing about the fishing industry. Another mentioned 
items on agriculture, and still others spoke of news 
on manufactures, music, art, flowers, and Nature 
crafts. 

The work necessary to find the facts to these ques- 
tions kept the girls well occupied during the evenings 
of that week, as they had to seek in the public library 
as well as in magazines, papers, and encyclopedias 
at home. 


166 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


After all the hard work and eager preparations, 
when all were ready to start that Friday afternoon, 
the Woodcrafters were doomed to deep disappoint- 
ment. It began to drizzle shortly after school opened 
in the morning and the weather grew constantly worse 
until the rain was pouring by recess time. By noon 
the out-of-doors proved a veritable “ wet blanket ’’ 
on the spirits of the Woodcrafters and they gathered 
disconsolately in the gymnasium at three o’clock, wish- 
ing they lived in Egypt at the dry season of the year. 

Even as Hilda tried in vain to console the others 
that perhaps the rain would clear off before evening 
so they could start early Saturday morning, the tele- 
phone bell rang. Miss Miller took up the receiver 
and answered the call. 

‘‘ Yes, this is Miss Miller. 

“ They are here now, bemoaning the Fates that 
sent the rain to spoil their week-end camp,” said the 
Guide, to someone’s query on the other end of the, 
wire. 

The girls perked up their ears when they heard it 
related to their camp hopes. 

‘‘ Oh, oh ! How splendid ! How good of you to 
bother ! ” the Guide beamed delightedly into the re- 
ceiver. 

“ Will we care to come! Oh Mrs. Remington wait 
till I tell the girls so you can hear the Babel of sound 
that will crack the telephone instrument,” laughed Miss 
Miller, holding the instrument away from her face as 
she turned to address the Band. 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


167 


‘‘ Mrs. Remington fears it will rain all night and to- 
morrow, and knowing of your plans for a mountain 
camp, she is as sorry as we are about the weather. 
But she offers us the use of the Council House at 
Mossy Crest for the camp. It is the great barn turned 
into one large room and all laid out for Woodcraft 
Councils. When Mr. Remington built the new barn 
and garage, he had this one renovated. A splendid 
floor for dancing and games is laid on top of the other 
heavy oak floor and the side-walls are all covered with 
burlap and decorated — ^but wait till you see it for 
yourself.” 

The shout that rose in acceptance of the camp offer 
was distinctly heard by Mrs. Remington who laughed 
to herself. Miss Miller turned to accept the invitation 
when Zan cried: 

Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm! ” 

The other girls laughed and Jane added : ‘‘ Sort 

of ‘ any harbour for a wreck I ' ” 

Oh won’t we have a glorious time practising new 
steps. Besides, girls, I invented a sea-shell dance 
that’s perfectly adorable,” cried Nita, glad of the camp 
with a good dancing floor. 

“ When can we start ? ” asked practical Hilda. 

‘‘ As soon as you like — I am waiting for the word,” 
replied the Guide. 

“We can’t walk — I’d better call up Jim on this 
’phone and see if he can come over,” said Zan. 

“ And call up Mom too, Zan, and have her send 
over our machine. I guess we can all crowd in the 


168 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


two as there won’t be any tents or equipment to cart,” 
added Jane. 

After a short period of waiting that seemed to the 
impatient Woodcrafters like an age, the cars came to 
the school and the girls hurried out regardless of the 
pouring rain. At Mossy Crest the Remingtons, from 
the Lady of the Place down to little Teddy, stood in 
a row inside the great barn doors ready to welcome 
the visitors. 

“ Pm tickled to pieces to have you girls spend the 
week-end with us,” called Elizabeth, the moment the 
two autos brought the visitors within hearing. 

“ And I can show you girls a lot more in Woodcraft 
right here where I have my equipment than at a 
mountain camp,” added Mrs. Remington. 

So before four o’clock, the Band discovered the 
rain to be a blessing in disguise for they found the 
Council House everything that an enthusiastic Wood- 
era f ter could want. 

“ But the disguise is rather damp, just the same,” 
added Zan, when Jane mentioned the blessing. 

Not indoors,” retorted Elizabeth. We had Al- 
fred help the boys bring the curtains and cots from 
the hay-loft where we store all camp outfits when not 
in use. That great trap-door opens on a pulley so we 
can hoist things up and down without much labour. 
Now come and see your bed-rooms for the visit.” 

The delighted girls trooped after their young 
hostess while she pointed out the manner in which 
Mrs. Remington had fitted up the House. Down one 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


169 


side of the large room, a row of 2 x 4 posts had been 
erected and upon these were firmly fastened the poles 
that held the white muslin curtains. The space thus 
divided from the main room was partitioned by simi- 
lar curtains hung on shorter poles, making small 
rooms about 8x10 feet. In each room stood a single 
cot and a small wash-stand bureau with a tiny mirror 
over it. A simple canvas camp-chair completed the 
furnishing of each space in this dormitory. 

When there were no occupants for the rooms, the 
entire outfit was taken down and stored in the loft 
overhead. A wide cobble-stone chimney had been 
constructed in one corner of the building for beauty, 
comfort, and utility. It was equipped with a crane 
and pot-hanger so cooking could be done over the 
open fire on the hearth. 

“Isn’t this just scrumptious?” cried Nita, pivoting 
on her toes on the smooth floor. 

“ I’ll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you,” 
laughed Jane, who dearly loved to sleep late in the 
morning. 

That supper was a jolly affair, for not only Eliza- 
beth and the two younger children attended the camp- 
meal, bringing their share of the provender with them, 
but later on Mr. and Mrs. Remington, and lastly, 
Fred came in, carrying donations in exchange for an 
invitation to dine. 

“ Mother ought to give the servants a night off ! ” 
laughed Fred. 

“ All we need to have a regular Grand Council are 


170 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

the Baker and Hubert boys with us,’^ declared Mrs. 
Remington. 

Never too late to repent! said Fred; then other 
subjects crowded the idea out of thought of the other 
members but was remembered the next day when Fred 
showed results of the suggestion. 

Tin platters and cups, and aluminium cutlery, were 
always kept in the Council House, and these made 
a great rat-a-tat as the hungry Band cut or scooped 
and rattled on the plates. 

Supper over, Mr. Remington called Fred to roll out 
the Grand Circle furniture from the harness room 
which had been converted into a property room. Soon 
the huge logs decorated in true Woodcraft style, and 
a large grass rug woven by the Black Bear Tribe and 
presented to this Council House, were placed in the 
centre of the great space, and the girls of Wako Tribe 
with their guests, assembled for an enjoyable evening. 

“ You have some artistic totems, Mrs. Remington,” 
said Elena, looking about at the unique and decorative 
emblems belonging to many Tribes started success- 
fully by the lady. 

“ Yes, and I am very proud of them. They stand 
for Tribes of girls and boys who are filling their niche 
in the Scheme of Things.” 

“ My personal Totem painted and presented to Mrs. 
Remington's Council House is largest and most prac- 
tical of all — see who can pick it out from the others,” 
laughed Mr. Remington. 

“ Now Fred, you know that isn't fair to these girls. 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


171 


How would anyone know that your totem — so-called 
by you — is painted on the canvas walls? My dears, 
Mr. Remington is such an ardent disciple of Wood- 
craft that he needs must cover at least fifty feet of 
material with his totem,” said Mrs. Remington. 

It was not difficult after this direct lead to select 
the burlap wall-covering which was painted to imitate 
forest trees somewhat like Elena’s screen, as the totem 
mentioned by the host. This neutral back-ground 
furnished an excellent contrast for the gay blankets, 
rush mats, birch-bark articles, and other items that 
are made and decorated by Woodcrafters during their 
meetings. 

When all signs of supper had been cleared away 
(and many hands make light work,” you know) 
the usual Council ceremony was performed. This 
over, Zan stood up and said: 

Are there any suggestions for the evening’s enter- 
tainment? ” 

O Chief ! ’’ replied Miss Miller, standing, I sug- 
gest that we read the essays prepared for this week- 
end.” 

‘"We-ell, I suppose we might unburden our souls 
of that much trouble,” remarked Zan, slowly, causing 
a laugh at her words. 

“ Of course — I mean, O Chief ! Of course, as it may 
clear off by morning and then we can be out-doors. 
We won’t care to sit hearing lectures or reading them 
to others when the calls of Nature entice us,” added 
Jane. 


172 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


''Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!’' 
teased Zan. 

" O Chief ! Who wouldn’t feel that way with the 
music of the floods echoing on this tin roof ? ” re- 
torted Jane. 

Another laugh at Zan’s expense put everyone in a 
merry mood, but Miss Miller meant business and not 
frivolity, so she asked the girls if the papers were all 
ready to read. 

Most of the members signified that the papers were 
on hand to read, so the Chief called upon Hilda, as she 
was the first one at her right. 

" My query was to find some interesting forestry 
news. I sought and finally found what I wanted in 
a weekly periodical called ‘ The Sentinel ’ and pub- 
lished at Boston. I learned that the forest fires of 
1916 caused a loss of more than $9,000,000. — six 
times as much as has been spent in forest protection 
work. And what is so lamentable is that these fires 
could all have been prevented — they were the results 
of rank carelessness. 

" In British Columbia, on account of the forest 
efficiency service, the number of fires last year were 
only half the number of those of the preceding 
year. 

" The tree seedlings and uncut timber are usually 
destroyed or greatly damaged by these forest fires. A 
most important part of forest work is to dispose of 
the lumbering slash which makes a very hot fire when 
once started. This slash must be collected and dis- 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


173 


posed of as soon as possible after the lumber opera- 
tions are finished. Lumber companies are urged to 
cooperate with the forest service in the protection of 
our valuable timber tracts. 

Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in 
the United States and burned over 5,900,000 acres, 
causing irretrievable losses. 

“ The forest products from Finland constitute 70 ^ 
of its total exports, and the income from this branch 
of trade amounts to about $96,500,000. annually. 

During 1916 the United States Forest Commission 
constructed 227 miles of new roads through national 
forests, 1975 miles of trails, 2225 miles of telephone 
lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout towers, 40 
bridges, 222 miles of fencing, 545 dwellings, barns, 
and other structures, 17 corrals, and 202 water im- 
provements.'’ 

As Hilda concluded and sat down, the audience 
expressed amazement at the gigantic losses to beauti- 
ful forest districts of this country, and Mr. Remington 
stood up to speak. 

** O Chief, I think this is the right time to warn 
every Woodcrafter present to be careful and impress 
upon friends to use the utmost care in helping the 
forest fire commissioners. We can do this by never 
leaving a spark of live fire from our camp-fires, by 
not throwing waste paper or other inflammable trash 
about that others may, through carelessness, set fire 
to, and not to smoke in a forest where dry leaves and 
tinder ignite very quickly.” 


174 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“How! How! ” approved the Woodcrafters as Mr. 
Remington sat down. 

“ The next reader on my list is Nita/’ announced 
Zan. 

“ Miss Miller gave me a paper about fish. Why 
this should fall to my lot, goodness only knows. I 
hate fish for food, and simply can't bear the smell of 
them. But I discovered some interesting facts about 
them, nevertheless. 

“ First I found that Alaska shipped 4,916,000 cases 
of salmon to the United States trade and the value of 
this shipment was over $23,800,000. 

“ Then I read that an attempt is being made to 
establish lobster beds on the Pacific Coast. Recently 
over 5400 crustaceans were shipped from Maine to 
Washington. 

“ Also, salmon worth $250,000. at the great can- 
neries of the Northwest States left Seattle, Washing- 
ton, for the New York markets. There were fifty 
trains packed full of cases holding cans of salmon. 

“ I learned that two great fish banks abounding in 
millions of sea bass have been discovered off Cape 
Fear bar on the North Carolina coast. One bank is 
more than three and a half miles wide and two and 
a half miles long. 

“The Bureau of Fisheries report over $6,000,000. 
worth of fish brought into New England ports during 
the year of 1916. The fishing fleets of Gloucester, 
Boston, and Portland total about 512 steamers and 
sailing vessels. 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


175 


'' At Boston alone the 3039 trips made by its vessels 
land annually over 98,500,000 pounds of fish valued 
at $2,159,895. At Portland the catch weighed about 
20,800,000 pounds and was worth about $550,000. 
At Gloucester, the men caught about 66,500,000 
pounds in 2864 trips and it was valued at $2,150,000. 

Besides our local fishing ports, the United States 
Bureau sent 450 black bass, 500 rock bass, 1000 cat- 
fish, and 800 sunfish to Gatun Lake in the Canal Zone. 
They wish to experiment with the fish breeding in 
these southern waters to supply the demand of people 
living in that zone. The lake covers an area of 164 
miles and offers an ideal place for fish, as it has many 
islands, shallow sandy shores, and deep and rocky 
banks, so that almost any fish-mother and house- 
keeper ought to be satisfied with conditions there.” 

As Nita finished reading, Mrs. Remington stood 
up and said : O Chief ! I think this plan of educa- 

tional entertainment fine! Not only am I hearing 
news items of moment to every good citizen but you 
girls are being trained in composing essays worth 
while. I will, with permission of Wako Tribe, try 
this idea with my own girls.” 

How ! ” responded the girls, and Miss Miller 
smiled with gratification at the compliment paid her 
girls and herself. 

It’s Jane’s turn now,” said Zan, turning to the 
next reader. 

“ You gave me a poser. Miss Miller, as I couldn’t 
say much about animal life that Woodcrafters did not 


176 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


know already. But I found that over $30,(X)0,ooo. is 
invested in the black fox industry at Prince Edward 
Island, Canada. Insurance on these valuable animals 
runs as high as $1500. on a single skin. The fox 
farms are of recent origin and every successful scien- 
tific method is applied to the rearing and care of the 
foxes so that perfect and valuable furs will result. 

In St. Louis, Mo., a sale of undressed furs opened 
recently and more than 1,599,000 skins were sold at 
a valuation of $2,000,000. 

Then, I find that five big game reserves and sixty- 
seven bird reservations are maintained by the Bio- 
logical Department of the United States Department 
of Agriculture. Among them are the Montana Bison 
Range, the Wind Game Preserves of South Dakota, 
the Elk Refuge in Wyoming, and the Niobrara 
Reservation which was intended for birds but has 
been stocked with buffalo and elk for the present. 

In 1892 the United States Government used its 
influence to establish a reindeer breeding industry in 
Alaska. In that year a herd was imported from 
Siberia and for ten consecutive years an annual im- 
portation continued from that country. In that time 
1200 reindeer were brought to Alaska and now 70,000 
deer graze the plains and valleys from Nome to the 
Aleutian Islands. Natives own about 46,000 of these 
deer; and in the public schools and other classes the 
Indians are taught to judge deer, to train them for 
sledge-work, and to care for and breed them success- 
fully.’^ 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


177 


“ This is most interesting. Had anyone asked me 
offhand, if Alaska used reindeer for practical use 
I would have answered 'No, of course not, you have 
to go to Greenland and Siberia for them,’ ” said Fred 
Remington. 

" Elena, your turn next/’ said Zan, as Fred sat 
down. 

“ I was given the paper about play-grounds or 
parks,” explained Elena, opening her paper to read. 
"In Spain, all exceptionally picturesque or historical 
regions, forests, lands, or buildings, that the state may 
select, will be used for national parks. The natural 
beauty of the land, the fauna and flora, as well as the 
geological and water features of these parks, will be 
protected and provide suitable places of interest for 
everyone. The reigning king, finding that many natural 
fauna were disappearing from Spain, began this move- 
ment which will prove to be a good precedent for 
other countries to follow before it is too late. 

" In our United States, over 1,500,000 people use 
the National Playgrounds each year, provided by the 
Government for the public. The present policy of 
the American Forestry Association is to secure such 
disposition of public lands as will afford a maximum 
benefit and joy to the people. 

“ National Parks in Hawaii are a recent improve- 
ment. They cover 75,000 acres and include the crater 
areas and natural wonders of the three great Hawaiian 
volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Haleakala. The 
latter, less familiarly known than the other two, has 


178 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

a crater 2000 feet deep and offers the greatest volcanic 
spectacle this side of the moon.” 

As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked 
Anne Mason to read her paper. 

“ I was given the subject ‘ New and Interesting 
Manufactures Pertaining to Forest Products.’ And 
most interesting it proved to be. 

“ The manufacture of fuel alcohol from pine saw- 
dust is a new industry in connection with the sawmills 
in Texas and Louisiana. At Fullerton, La., a plant 
costing more than $750,000. is turning out more than 
5,000 gallons of fuel alcohol a day. 

‘‘ Also, more than twenty thousand tons of wood- 
flour valued at $300,000. are annually used in the 
United States for the manufacture of dynamite and 
for inlaid linoleum. It is also used for making com- 
position flooring, oat-meal wall paper, and other 
things. In the past, the great sawmills of the United 
States used half of this waste for fuel in their furnaces 
and the other half was burned as refuse and discard. 
Now, however, the huge waste product has found 
a way to be practically used instead of being 
burned. 

“ In the manufacture of linoleum the wood-flour is 
mixed with a cementing material, spread out on burlap, 
and rolled to form an even thickness. The cement is 
the item that makes linoleum so expensive. Cork 
linoleum is cheaper as it uses less cement. Wood-flour 
linoleum is light-coloured while cork linoleum is al- 
ways a dark brown and is slightly more elastic than 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 179 

that of wood-flour, but the wearing qualities are about 
the same. 

“ Wood-pulp can be made from many kinds of wood 
heretofore unused for this purpose. Samples of more 
than seventy kinds of paper made from wood-pulp 
have proven to be satisfactory. The cost of spruce- 
wood-pulp has increased in recent years with the 
scarcity of spruce, but now news-paper stock can be 
kept at the same price as in former years if the paper 
made from other woods proves to be acceptable to 
the printer. The tests showed that eleven new woods 
could be used for manufacturing manila paper and 
cardboards. But these woods are mostly grown in 
the West while the large plants for manufacturing 
products from wood-pulp are in the East. Some 
change of location must take place to deduct the cost 
of transportation of the raw wood to the mills, as 
this will prove to be a most important item in the 
cost to the consumer. 

“ There are over 30,000 sawmills in this country 
and the Forest Service is compiling a report as to 
the manufactures of each mill : the wood mostly used, 
the number of laths and shingles made, and the quan- 
tity of lumber turned out annually. 

“ That’s all I could collect in the short time al- 
lotted,” said Anne, sitting down. 

“ It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to 
prove so interesting. I like this stunt — don’t you 
girls ? ” commented Zan. 

“ How ! How ! ” came the answer. 


180 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“Now May, what did you find for us?’' said the 
Chief. 

“ I sought for items of interest about our water- 
ways. I found that one of the greatest reservoirs and 
water regulating projects in New York State is the 
construction of two dams, one at Conklingville on the 
Sacandaga River, and the other at Tumblehead Falls 
on the Schroon River in the Adirondacks. The plan 
is to control the flow of the upper Hudson River so 
that the plants using water power shall have a steadier 
flow all Summer. The reservoir at Conklingville will 
be about 30 miles long and 5 miles wide. In the 
Schroon River it will be about 15 miles long and 
about 2 miles wide. 

“ In the Pend Oreille River, about 25 miles north 
of Spokane, Washington, a dam 375 feet higher than 
the bed of the river is constructed. It has an extreme 
length of 250 feet at the crest and will be 25 feet 
higher than the Arrow Rock Dam which was the 
highest in the world. The only site where this dam 
could be built was in a canon where the river runs 
100 feet deep at low water and over 150 feet deep 
in flood-times.” 

May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read. 

“ I wasn’t quite sure of what I was supposed to do, 
so I collected a few short notes — but I can do better 
next time, Miss — O Chief ! ” explained Mildred. 

“ I had ‘ crops ’ so I found that peanuts are the chief 
agricultural wealth of Madras, India. In 1916 there 
were over 1,700,000 acres planted and the yield of 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


181 


peanuts was estimated at about 600,000 tons. This 
last year the peanut crops from every country where 
they are grown are said to be double the harvest of 
any previous year.” 

“ Ha ! That’s good news, for I love the plebeian 
nut ! ” laughed Zan, as Mildred sat down. 

“ Who’s next to read ? ” continued the Chief, 
glancing at her list. 

“ I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief ! ” said 
Frances, now standing. 

Good ! Let’s hear it.” 

“ The strawberry crops of 1916 were worth over 
$20,000,000. to the growers. This was considered a 
record breaker but the crops of 1917 exceeded those 
of the previous year about a third. 

The total fruit crops of this country amount to 
about $250,000,000. value annually and the 1917 
products are said to be the heaviest yield for many 
years past. The census for canning and drying fruits 
and vegetables was taken from 3199 establishments 
in 1914 and the products were valued at $158,000,000. 
If such an enormous sum was invested in this work 
in 1914 we may well consider the tremendous wealth 
of the products of 1917, with such wonderful yield 
of crops and with everyone eager to preserve the 
bounty of fruit and vegetables given us by Nature. 

‘‘ One of Portugal’s exports is dried figs. Since 
the markets of Germany and Russia have been closed 
by the war, the largest trade held by the Portuguese 
is suspended. The only good market still open for 


182 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


these figs is the United States. Last year Portugal 
shipped over 10,500,000 pounds, valued at $400,000., 
to this country. 

The cocoanut industry promises to become one 
of Panama’s main sources of trade. Cocoanut trees 
ought to be planted about 70 to the acre and when 
these mature, as they do in about five years’ time, 
they bring forth about 100 cocoanuts to a tree every 
year. They bear fruit actively for more than twenty 
years, thus proving a good investment to the planter.” 

This reading was applauded by the audience and 
then Zan asked if Eleanor had complied with the 
request to write up some item. 

I have one but it really is not worth reading as 
my slip of paper asked for an article not half so in- 
teresting as the other girls had,” replied Eleanor, with 
an unpleasant manner. 

‘‘ In June, 1916, school children in all sections of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, were started on little gardens where 
flowers and vegetables, or small fruits were raised. 
The plan finally launched the window-gardens which 
have made such a great improvement in the appearance 
of the city streets. The beauty of the floral boxes 
so impressed the city authorities that they agreed to 
offer seeds free to any citizen who would plant and 
care for the flowers. This idea is now spreading to 
other large cities and people are encouraged to have 
flower boxes in their windows. When will our eastern 
cities take a forward step like this ? ” 

As Eleanor sat down, Mrs. Remington said : “ I 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


183 


wish our League would take up this movement for 
New York and adjoining large cities. An organiza- 
tion can do much more than a few individuals.” 

“ My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest 
it at the next National Council,” added Mr. Rem- 
ington. 

“ O Chief ! ” said Elizabeth, standing, I am not 
a member of your Band but I can add a mite to the 
general reports. I can say that Japan exports to the 
United States every year over $1,500,000. worth of 
Battenburg and Renaissance work — doilies, covers, 
and scarfs. Thousands of Japanese girls do this work 
at home during their spare hours.” 

“ How ! ” cried the girls as their visitor finished 
her report. 

‘'Have we anyone else to contribute?” asked the 
Chief. 

Fred then stood up and cleared his throat — a habit 
he had when he felt the least bit embarrassed. 

“ I might add that Instructors from the Agricul- 
tural College of the United States gave the Indians 
new insight into modern farming methods. 

“ The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin 
was held at Kashena, on the Menominee Reservation, 
and was attended by scores of Tribes-men.” 

“ O Chief, I can tell you something, too,” cried 
Billy, as his big brother sat down. “ A treaty between 
Great Britain and the United States for the protection 
of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian 
border was negotiated in 1916.” 


184 * THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Who hasn’t read a paper ? ” asked Zan, looking 
around. 

‘‘You haven’t!” retorted Jane. 

“ I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it 
is so superlative I knew the rest of you would feel 
too discouraged after hearing mine to read what you 
had written, so that the meeting would lose many 
reports,” explained Zan, mysteriously. 

“ Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to 
make that boast good ! ” cried Elizabeth. 

Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and 
carried, and Zan waited for the uproar to quiet down 
before she said: 

“ You won’t feel so jubilant when you hear the 
lesson I have ready for you who persist in a great 
waste of physical energy. My article was culled from 
the pages of ‘ The Guide to Nature ’ which is a good 
magazine for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz 
Association. They found this article in one of our 
leading magazines and considered it interesting 
enough to reprint.” 

Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own 
amusing style, the main points of which she had read 
in the periodical mentioned. 

“ In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously sig- 
nificant fiftieth anniversary of the chewing gum was 
ushered in — but not with laurels or paeans of praise 
did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very 
few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of 
this birthday, until it was mentioned in the papers. 



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A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


185 


“ Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on some- 
thing that never satisfies but always attracts more and 
more — like a nightmare where money lies scattered 
everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries 
to grasp it. 

“We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico 
in recent times, but never, no matter what we do or 
what they do, can the public of the United States ever 
properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest 
boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and 
commuters — to say nothing of the miscellany and 
Woodcraft folks! 

“ It was on a certain occasion when General Santa 
Anna of Mexico was calling on a friend at Snug 
Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams also called 
upon the same friend. While the three talked the 
General took a chunk of something resembling a solid 
bit of over-shoe from his pocket and cut off a small 
piece. He placed it in his mouth and began chewing. 
Then he offered some to his companions. 

“ Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said : 
‘ Will you please tell me where you found it? ’ 

“ Then the General explained that it was the gum 
of the zapote tree, better known as ‘ chicle.’ Mr. 
Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. As 
he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked 
the General for a goodly sized piece of the gum. He 
took it home to see if it could not be vulcanized for 
a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial 
teeth, 


186 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as 
the chicle was too conscientious to lend itself to any 
falsity, knowing well that it was meant for a far 
greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place. 
It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and 
mighty nation in its elasticity between the jaws but 
never to become a part of a jaw. 

‘‘ So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting 
for Mr. Adams got up and snapped out : ‘ The stuff 
isn’t worth a darn for anything but just chewing! ’ 
Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he 
suddenly felt inspired to try out this curse on the 
gullible American public, for he felt much as Barnum 
did, when he made his speech which will go down 
in history. 

So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five 
dollars and began the manufacture of the greatest 
sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most fasci- 
nating jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser 
the world ever knew. 

“ In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no 
flavouring to lend enchantment to the gum, and it 
was chewing for the sake of chewing. However, once 
the children found out what a source of annoyance 
this chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians, 
and parents, its success was assured, for let the juvenile 
American public decide favourably upon a thing and 
other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, when all 
protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing 
in sheer self-defence. 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 


18 T 


‘‘ To such vast proportions has this habit grown 
that at the present day the energy used in chewing 
gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from New 
York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical 
terms a current powerful enough to lift 43,305,505 
tons 34,000 miles per minutes per second per kilowatt 
hour. 

But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss 
of jaw-power one must stop to think of the good 
chicle has brought to the American public. 

“ It has been the means of having all cars and other 
transportation service hang signs in conspicuous places 
warning the passengers to conform to the City Health 
Laws — hence the floors of public places have been 
neater and cleaner than ever before. 

“ It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot- 
machines at every corner, in every popular store, and 
at every post in railway stations of every description. 
These boxes must needs attract the people for the 
gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to en- 
able the ever-neat but not gaudy passengers to see that 
their hats were on straight, that tips of noses were 
properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the latest 
knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at 
the correct angle — free from any thoughts of vanity, 
of course. While viewing these important details of 
toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring them 
of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing 
chicle. 

‘"Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in 


188 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


the slot, take the minute package that shoots out into 
the pan, start chewing on the fragrant chicle, and sit 
in a subway car opposite other masticating engines, 
and you will see other hapless passengers run from 
the car at the next station and secure a similar package 
to that your cent brought forth. Such is the power 
of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always 
takes ! ” 

As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when 
she concluded and sat down the younger contingent 
laughed outright and How’ed ! ” Then Miss Miller 
stood up. 

O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay de- 
serves a coup or a Chump Mark.” 

Mr. Remington then jumped up. “ It sounded as 
if our esteemed Chief was hired by the chicle company 
as a salesman or demonstrator of their products ! ” 

‘‘ O Chief ! ” added Mrs. Remington. I vote that 
the writer be awarded an honour as it is interesting 
and instructive to learn how great and universal has 
the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this 
thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this 
will rouse the people to consider the final results of 
indulging in weakening and disgusting habits like con- 
tinual chewing.” 

“ ril consider the last speaker’s sensible remark,” 
said Mr. Remington, rising from the log seat. “ But 
I need to retire to weigh the case impartially.” 

“You’re not going away, are you?” cried Billy, 
his father walked from the circle. 


A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP 189 

** It’s long past bed-time and Baby is nodding,” 
explained Mrs. Remington. 

The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then ex- 
claimed : Goodness me ! It is past eleven o’clock ! ” 

“ The parting song and then we say good-night,” 
said Zan, and the Woodcrafters all stood to join in 
the Indian hymn. 

The next morning found the indoor campers as 
eager for fun as youngsters ever are, and seeing that 
the weather was still threatening rain but was not 
actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare 
for some out-door sport without delay. 

While the breakfast dishes were being washed and 
the room put in order, voices were heard on the way 
from the garage. In a few minutes, the Baker boys, 
and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the 
double doors. 

“Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over 
for a hike. Didn’t think you girls would be here, as 
you were sure of going to Orange Mountain,” said 
Fiji. 

“ Pooh, I know you, Fiji Baker! You never thought 
of a hike until you heard from Dad that we were here. 
I bet anything you called up Fred Remington first and 
asked him to invite you over ! ” declared Zan, nodding 
wisely. 

“ Well, I don’t know that it matters much who is 
right — but it remains a fact that now we’re here we 
may as well entertain you girls,” said Jack Hubert. 

Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might 


190 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


have transpired is not known, for the ever watchful 
Guide comprehended, and said joyfully: 

“ Oh how fine ! Then you boys will show us how 
to play ‘ Hunt the Deer ’ or ‘ Bear Hunting/ '' 

“ ril run to the house for the bear and spears. 
Meantime, you can warm up by having some races,’' 
said Fred Remington. 

Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and imme- 
diately afterward the boys led the way to the back- 
road that ran to the pasture. Here they had running 
races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other 
tests between the girls and boys, until Fred returned 
with a noticeably new burlap bear, and wooden spears. 

The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having 
exciting Woodcraft games of hunting and spearing — 
both games that tested the surety of the arm and eye. 

The sun came through heavy clouds during the 
afternoon and the girls enjoyed a hike through the 
woods and fields. Many an item was found that day 
to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds 
for the new members’ lists. 

Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart 
from the Council House, it was agreed that never had 
an indoor camp been so appreciated as this one by the 
girls of Wako Tribe. 


CHAPTER TEN 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 

' I ^HAT week a Council was held to decide upon 
the merits of the new members. As each was 
called upon to answer various questions, the replies 
were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor’s 
turn. The report on her month of probation was not 
very encouraging to the five founders of the Tribe. 

‘‘ What’s the matter, Eleanor — you’ve had the same 
time and privileges as the others ? ” asked Zan, im- 
patiently. 

“ Oh, I don’t know as I care to join this crowd. 
It is always some silly deference to you as Chief. If 
Miss Miller was the one we had to ask permission of 
before we could speak to the others I wouldn’t mind, 
’cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse 
to kow-tow to you ! ” retorted Eleanor. 

“ Humph ! Guess you got out of bed with your 
left foot foremost, this morning,” complained Jane. 

If she don’t want to conform to our Tribe laws 
she can do the other thing! I have no intention of 
harbouring mutiny in the circle,” added Zan, angrily. 

No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls 
want to be walked over just because your father has 
a car in which they can take a ride now and then, it’s 
191 


192 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

none of my affair. I for one will not act the hypocrite 
for the sake of an automobile drive ! '' snapped Eleanor. 

“Hypocrite! Good gracious! You’re the big- 
gest ” 

What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered 
and, frowning, remarked: “Ladies! Ladies! are we 
Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible tramps with no 
education or refinement ! ” 

Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but 
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and walked out with- 
out a word to anyone. 

“ Let her go — I only hope it’s for good ! ” grumbled 
Zan. 

“ I am sorry this incident has occurred just now 
as I brought with me a letter addressed to the Tribe 
to be read at this meeting,” said the Guide. 

Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued : 

“ The other school girls have heard of the good 
times and Nature studies you are having and many 
of them wish to join you. Of course there can be 
but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of 
those not selected can start another Tribe. 

“ It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of 
leaving this Band and the girls told her how foolish 
she was when it was going to do her so much good. 
But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate. 
Now matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene 
means Eleanor must stay or go — which shall it be? 
I know certain unpleasant incidents in connection with 
Eleanor’s behaviour that would prejudice me against 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


193 


her did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the 
training Woodcraft can give her. What say you? ” 

Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to 
think seriously and refrain from condemnation. Then 
the Chief said : “ We were speaking of these things 
with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised 
us to go slow and not act in a way that we might 
regret later.’’ 

“ Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as 
a personal matter and judged Eleanor as if she was 
our own sister, we might feel more lenient and patient 
with her short-comings,” said May Randall. 

Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new 
member express such sentiments, and she nodded ap- 
provingly. “ I am glad to hear this — shall we vote 
to give Eleanor another trial ? ” 

“ O Chief ! Let me say a word before any girl votes 
on a matter that they may not feel quite satisfied witlr 
but will do as the others wish them to do,” said Nita, 
jumping up and flushing. 

‘‘ Proceed.” 

‘‘If the new members knew of the trouble at 
Wickeecheokee this past Summer and what a change 
has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me 
before this Summer and some did not. But let me 
say, that this case of Eleanor Wilson’s seems much 
the same in a different dress, and if I have seen the 
truth and been helped to a different plane of life can- 
not Eleanor do the same? She needs us.” 

Nita’s earnest voice finished speaking and the girls 


194 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


realised she had been pleading for the future of a 
girl’s life. The Guide found it necessary to turn away 
her face to pretend to look for a paper in her desk — 
in reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused 
by Nita’s heartfelt words. 

O Chief ! I make a motion that Eleanor be given 
a patient trial just as we would do if a girl was sick,” 
said Elena. 

The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried 
unanimously. 

“ Now girls, let us write a letter to the new appli- 
cants and let them know that they may look forward 
to joining a second Band in November, and then we 
will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how 
sorry we were that she did not remain to vote with 
us,” said Zan. 

As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and 
indolent Elena of last Summer’s experiences showed 
such wonderful improvement for better and nobler 
things. Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent 
about “ Her Father’s Business ” were beginning to 
bear fruit abundantly. 

That week the Band met two evenings for social 
and Tribal affairs. The first meeting was held at 
Zan’s house and the second one at Jane Hubert’s. 
Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian 
songs and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they 
were usually selected in preference to the small rooms 
of modern apartment houses such as the ones where 
Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived. 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


195 


At Dr. Baker’s house, the girls were discussing the 
limited music given by the tomtom. As the complaints 
were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls. 

“ I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater 
depth of harmony than is possible to bring out of 
hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument that was 
much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little 
of it. Who present can play on glass ? ” 

No one could and several voices expressed amaze- 
ment. 









‘‘Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger 
bowls? If you haven’t them, just tumblers will do, 
but the bowls offer a better surface. I will also want 
a jug of water and your moist colours,” said Miss 
Miller. 

Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller 
placed the eight bowls in a row on the table. Then 
she placed a dab of water-colour in- each of seven 
bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured 
water into the bowls — different quantities for the dif- 
ferent notes. The first bowl was almost full of water 


196 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had not 
as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl 
held still less water which was blue. The fourth with 
still less water was coloured yellow. The fifth was 
green and that was half full. The sixth was less than 
half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held 
a quarter of a bowl full and was orange. The eighth 
and last held but little water and was tinted black. 
The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all 
the paint was well dissolved. 

“ Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water, 
having more in it than the others, will give us the high- 
est note, and so on down the scale until we reach 
the lowest note which holds least water in the 
bowl. 

“ By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at 
my right hand and so on until the lowest note is at my 
extreme left, I can play the scale just as if I was 
playing on a piano.” 

Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the 
water and also moistened the edges of the bowls. 

‘‘Now listen and tell me what I am playing?” 
said she. 

The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around 
the rim of the right-hand bowl and produced a clear 
sweet tone. 

“ G ! ” called the girls as she looked for their reply. 

“ Now these ? ” 

Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the 
glasses and played the scale. As she brought out the 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 197 


notes the girls gathered about the table and listened 
with surprised interest. 

'‘Now I will play my favourite patriotic song, 
' Our America,’ and after I have played it through 
you girls might sing it.” 


OUR AMERICA 


Alice M. Harrison 


Augusta E. Stetson 



America, America, thou gavest birth 
To light that lighteth all the earth. 
God keep it pure ! 

We love that onward leading light; 
We will defend it with our might. 

It shall endure! 


2 

America, America, our love of thee 
Is free-men’s love of Liberty, 

The Spirit blest. 

Which holds high happiness in store. 

When Right shall reign from shore to shore, 
From East to West. 


198 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

3 

America, America, thy seer-graved seal 
Foretells the perfect Commonweal 
Of God-made men ; 

Its eagle with unwearied wings 
Is symbol of the thought-seen things 
Of prophet’s ken. 


4 

America, America, on-pressing van 
Of all the hopes of waking man. 

We love thy flag! — 

Thy stately flag of steadfast stars. 

And white, close held to heart-red bars, 
Which none shall drag! 

5 

America, America, in thee is found 
Manasseh’s tribe, to Ephraim bound 
By Israel’s vow. 

Whose destiny is heaven-sealed; 

Far spreading vine in fruitful field 
^d’s planting, thou! 


6 

America, America, faith-shadowed land. 
Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall 
stand 

To guard thy gate. 

Thy planted seed of potent good 
Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood, 
Man’s true estate. 


7 

America, America, the God of love 
Whose name is ev’ry name above 
Is thy defence. 

’Tis thou must lead the longing world 
From phantom fears to Love’s unfurled 
Omnipotence. 

The music was played through and then the Guide 
began the song again, expecting the girls to sing, but 
they were so intensely interested in watching her deft 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


199 


fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite 
forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song 
the second time, she looked around and laughed: 

‘‘ That was the softest singing I ever thought 
possible ! ” 

The girls laughed, too, and Zan said : ‘‘Try us 
again — maybe we can voice more sound.” 

Then the song was played and sung through and 
Mrs. Baker came in to listen, saying : “ It sounded 

so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer range.” 

“ I think the idea is charming, but of course there 
is nothing like the tomtom for an Indian scalp dance 
or Hopi Indian song,” said Miss Miller. 

She then played several old ballads, the girls hum- 
ming the chorus of each as she played it. 

“ Girls, let’s have Miss Miller play that Morning 
Prayer that was written for us by request. We all 
know the words and with this sweet music it ought 
to sound lovely ! ” exclaimed Zan. 

Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band 
by a friend was produced and the Guide played it. 
At the second playing the girls all sang in low sweet 
voices and who can say that the genuine desire ex- 
pressed in the words of the simple verses was not 
as acceptable to the Great Spirit as any scholastic 
prayer ever uttered by famous theologians. 

“If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this 
glass music at odd moments during the week and any 
member excelling in the performance on Saturday will 
have a prize — same as May’s chest,” ventured Jane. 


^00 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

“ Yes, unless we have a camp this week-end. If we 
do we can award the prize some evening next week,’’ 
assented Zan. 

‘‘You girls can all try but I have too many other 
things to do this week. Besides, I wouldn’t bother to 
work for such nonsensical prizes as the kind you gave 
May,” said Eleanor, aggravatingly. 

Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed 
her again. 

“ By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your 
Woodcraft test of carpentry? ” now asked Miss Miller, 
meaningly. 

“ Why, no — I thought I would leave the Band so 
I did not bother to waste my time.” 

“ Well, as long as you remained with us, I would 
advise you to finish it without more delay so we can 
credit up your Tally.” 

Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening, 
and when the girls were ready to leave. Miss Miller 
said : “ I am walking down your way, Eleanor, and 

I will be glad to have company part of the way.” 

The girl would much rather not have had the Guide 
walk home with her for the memory of her confession 
at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten although 
she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not 
in a very friendly mood when the two were alone and 
>valking down the quiet street. 

“ I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and 
I trust you will remember why ? ” said Miss Miller. 

“ I haven’t the slightest idea of what you mean. 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


201 


but if you walked this way just to be with me why 
should you prevaricate before the whole crowd ? ” 

I hardly think I did that ! I always try to speak 
the truth — in thought as well as in deed. But in this 
instance I felt sure you would prefer to have me word 
my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my 
purpose. I believe in using the ‘ wisdom of the ser- 
pent ’ when one can be absolutely true to one’s self.” 

“ Huh ! ‘ And gentleness of the dove,’ why don’t 
you add ? ” sneered Eleanor, unkindly. 

I didn’t think it necessary to add that with you, 
as you should be aware of my gentleness in handling 
this delicate situation. As long as you fail to appre- 
ciate my good intentions it may be that you will under- 
stand bluntness better.” 

Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so 
she added : 

“ When do you intend telling May and the others 
about the theft ? ” 

How dare you say that to me ! ” cried Eleanor, 
trying to be furiously insulted. 

“ Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have 
waited many days now, and offered you many good 
opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem farther 
from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know 
that the hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in 
itself to one’s progress? ” 

I shall turn in this side street unless you mind 
your own business ! ” flared Eleanor, looking down the 
uninviting dark road, 


202 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ You may do that but you cannot run away from 
your own self-condemnation and conscience. And I 
know from the signs that you have shown, that the 
trouble is preying upon your mind and making of you 
a most petulant, disagreeable being. Rid yourself of 
the error and see the uplifting you will feel at once.” 

Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller’s voice 
or the answer to her earnest silent prayer for guidance, 
it matters not, for both were sweet to the Father’s 
ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to re- 
form and build up a different character for her- 
self. 

Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms 
about the Guide’s neck and wept forth: ‘'Oh, if I 
could only see the girls this very minute — here in the 
dark — I would be so happy to confes^s.” 

“Eleanor, do you really mean that?” asked Miss 
Miller, her voice quivering with hope and joy. 

“ Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es ! But to-morrow I will be 
hard again ! ” 

“ No you won’t, dear child, for the Spirit will stay 
with you to soften the human will ! Now let us stop 
in at the gym and you shall write a letter to the Band 
that will answer just the same as if you spoke in the 
dark, for you need not see them when they read the 
words and cry gratefully over your courage and re- 
pentance.” 

“ Cry — don’t you think they will fire me out of the 
Band?” asked Eleanor, incredulously. 

“ No, my dear, for they know that this from you 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


203 


means a far greater work of redemption than if a 
good little girl who never had any erroneous tempta- 
tions always smiled and walked obediently in the path- 
way all prepared for her feet ! ” 

‘‘ Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good 
and easy for a sinner to repent ! ” 

And they stopped at the school-gymnasium for 
which the teacher carried a key. And here not only 
was a note penned, but many an admonition was given 
the girl that helped her over dark and rocky places 
in after life. 

Suffice it to say here, that the letter caused great 
consternation when read by the Guide to the girls the 
next afternoon, but she advised them wisely and 
gently, so that Zan’s fury and May's resentment soon 
disappeared and left in its place the wish to help 
Eleanor in her struggle to win out in the battle 
between her better self and the evil counter- 
feit. 

Eleanor failed to appear at any of the meetings 
that week although she sent in a piece of carpentry 
made for her test that elicited the admiration of the 
other girls. Also she sent in a Tally Book she made 
for her own use, and this, too, caused Elena, the 
artist, to exclaim, for it was as pretty as her own — 
and that was said to be the most artistic one in the 
Band. 

The next Thursday evening's meeting was held at 
Jane’s home. Miss Miller said it would be a good 
plan to begin regular work on the bead trimmings as , 


204j the woodcraft GIRLS IN THE CITY 


she wished every girl to complete a handsome set of 
banding for a ceremonial costume in which to appear 
at Grand Councils. 

This motion was agreed upon and Elena entered 
the vote in the Tally Book, that each girl was to pre- 
sent the results of her bead-loom work a month from 
that day. 

Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many 
ways Woodcraft girls had in the city of following 
pursuits they little dreamed of. 

“ For instance : when you are on the streets and 
the wind is blowing the dust about, always keep your 
mouth closed and breathe through the nostrils. Also 
keep your toes nearly straight when walking and ex- 
pand the chest. In crossing a street, always look both 
ways, especially in a crowded thoroughfare, before 
attempting to cross. Most of the accidents to pedes- 
trians are caused by people in a hurry, or impatient, 
and not obeying the traffic laws. When one is mind- 
ful of law one is always protected and safe. Now 
I wonder how many of you know the meaning of the 
coloured lights on the street lamps, or other places? 
How many girls are familiar with the signals of police- 
men, particularly the traffic squad ? ” 

Very few of the girls could answer correctly to 
these vital questions, and the Guide explained, then 
continued her talk to them. 

Besides the city signs and laws every girl should 
know where the parks, museums, libraries, and other 
public buildings are located so anyone inquiring for 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 205 

them can be directed without loss of time or con- 
fusion — also for our own convenience. 

** In the museums we can study the national cos- 
tumes and customs of every nation in the world, from 
the collections on exhibit of different periods in his- 
tory. Any interested person can find in the wonderful 
free exhibits, the pictures, statuary, carvings, relics, 
and many other things impossible to find elsewhere, 
a liberal education in itself. 

“ Besides these treasures, gathered at great cost 
of time, life, and money, for us to enjoy at our 
leisure, we also have the aquarium at Battery Park, 
Zoological Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, and many 
interesting streets and structures of old New York 
that one never thinks of being in existence. The public 
lectures given gratis every week to anyone who will 
avail themselves of the privilege, the great Com- 
munity Chorus founded to train voices in the best 
music, the singers giving public concerts for all at 
different times each year, and numerous other sources 
of educational interests where you are invited and 
welcomed as warmly as if you paid an exorbitant fee 
to attend — all these places can be found by referring 
to the daily papers. 

“ In speaking of the many advantages girls had 
without using a third of them, Mrs. Remington men- 
tioned that her Tribe went to the New York Parks 
last year and actually found one hundred different 
kinds of trees, a hundred wild flowers, sixty kinds 
of birds flying about, furry four-footed animals, 


206 the woodcraft GIRLS IN THE CITY 

turtles, snakes, and other things mentioned in the 
Manual for coups and grand coups/' 

'' I never thought of that ! declared Zan, thought- 
fully. 

Neither did 1. Can’t we go, too, Miss Miller, and 
make up our hundred for grand coups?" asked 
Jane. 

Of course we can, and that is why I mentioned it. 
Even the new members can find what they need right 
in Central Park. Then there is the Bronx and Van 
Courtlandt Parks should you exhaust the ‘ happy 
hunting grounds ’ of Central Park,” replied the Guide, 
pleased. 

Oh girls, can’t we go right soon ? ” exclaimed 
Anne Mason. 

“ Gracious ! There seems more to do than one 
Winter can ever find time for!” sighed Nita. 

'' I know that sigh by this time — Nita thinks we 
won’t bother to dance if we adventure about the wilds 
of New York!” laughed Zan. 

“ Everything in its . own place, you know. We will 
have as much time for steps and songs as ever, for 
the evenings at home can be devoted to indoor fun, 
you know,” explained the Guide. 

“ I’m glad we won’t have any extra studies to catch 
up with this year. When we had to forge ahead to 
make room for scholars last year, we couldn’t possibly 
have had any Woodcraft fun in the evenings,” ven- 
tured Hilda, gratefully. 

“ And so the completion of the new High School 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


207 


on the other side of the city is a blessing to you Wood- 
crafters/’ said Miss Miller. 

‘'We ought to have our individual Tally Books all 
ready for entries if we go off on trips like the ones 
you mentioned,” suggested May. 

“ Yes, and I want you to each have your totems 
completed so that important incidents or progress can 
be depicted on the pole. Besides the totems and 
Tallies, each girl must make a good set of rubbing 
sticks and the bag and other adjuncts to complete a 
fire set. We ought to make and decorate articles of 
useful furniture, to make a garment, to cook and 
preserve, and many other pursuits that can be best 
done in the Winter indoors.” 

“ Miss Miller, I am going to follow Elizabeth Rem- 
ington’s idea. She made a bead band trimming on 
which the story of a Summer in camp was pictured. 
I shall do the same, and in symbolic pictures tell the 
story of our camp on the farm,” said Zan. 

“ Oh Zan, that will be fine ! Call it the costume 
of the ‘ Woodcraft Girls at Camp,’ ” said Jane. 

“Do you mind if we girls make one that way?” 
asked Elena. 

“Of course not! It isn’t likely that any of you 
will work out the same idea in beads as I will,” re- 
plied Zan. 

“ I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses 
ought to look beautiful,” approved Miss Miller. 

Thus an incentive for beading and sewing was 
offered the original members of Wickeecheokee Band. 


208 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


But the new members thought they could design In- 
dian figures and symbols that would be pretty and 
answer the present need for trimming, and when they 
had had practise and experiences to picture they could 
add to their bead-work. 

That evening the girls learned that Woodcraft was 
not so much a matter of camps and meetings as of 
individual study and growth — and application of the 
highest and best that one was possible of doing. 

‘‘ O Chief ! Will you try and see Eleanor to-mor- 
row and tell her of our plans for the Winter? Possibly 
the very fact of your seeking her to mention this 
meeting as an item of Tribe business will assure her 
that we all wish her to do her share in the under- 
taking,’' said Miss Miller, as the meeting adjourned. 

Zan sought out the wayward member although she 
disliked an errand like this one. She reported the 
different plans the Guide outlined for the girls and 
then told Eleanor to get busy ” on her bead trimming 
for a leather costume. 

‘‘ Dear me, it is nothing but work, work, work, in 
your Lodge. Now I heard from a girl who is a 
Woodcrafter in Plainfield, and she says they have 
the j oiliest times! They go to entertainments, have 
candy pulls, parties, and almost every week they all 
go to some place of amusement together. You never 
do that 1 ” complained Eleanor. 

‘‘ If that girl tells the truth and is a real Wood- 
crafter she combines pleasure with advancement. 
Maybe she considers a hike or a Council a party, and 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 


m 


you misunderstood her. She may think she ‘ is having 
the best of times ’ going to a lecture which you mis- 
construe as a place of amusement. Anyway, it doesn’t 
matter what some folks think or do, Wako Tribe has 
a pattern of its own and it cuts its cloth accordingly,” 
replied Zan, not too humbly, for she felt impatient at 
the reception given her message from Miss Miller. 

Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and Zan left her 
without another word, both feeling the occasion had 
been given for a better understanding but the result 
of it was a failure. 

After the meeting at which the girls realised the 
many free resorts where Woodcraft coups could be 
won, they took new interest in home-work as well. 
Zan completed a set of rustic furniture made of the 
timber from the farm, and this set of table, two chairs, 
and two stools was decorated with Indian emblems. 

“Dad, isn’t this a peachy set?” asked she when it 
was finished and standing on the wide rear porch 
for exhibition. 

“ It certainly is. Daughter. Now the question is, 
where shall we keep it until next Spring when we can 
ship it to the farm? ” answered the doctor. 

“ Keep it ? Why, in the parlour, of course ! ” declared 
Zan, frowning at the implied meaning in her father’s 
question. 

“ And sell the junk mother has there to a second 
hand dealer! Of course! how could I have been so 
stupid as to think otherwise,” replied Dr. Baker 
meekly. 


210 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Zan studied his face but his expression was in- 
scrutable. 

‘We-el-1 — I s’pose I might keep it in the library! ” 
ventured she, as she pictured her mother^s solid- 
mahogany-frames-upholstered- silk - velour - furniture 
thrown on a scrap wagon. 

“ Maybe — I am only suggesting, of course — maybe 
we could ship it to the farm this Fall and store there 
until next Summer,” said the doctor. 

But I expect to use it all the time. Dad. Right 
this week I shall sit on the chair and use the table,” 
cried Zan. 

‘‘ Then let us leave it just where it is for the time 
being as you need all the fresh air you can get during 
the fine Indian Summer weather. When the snow 
blows we can freight it to Wickeecheokee.” 

Everyone Zan knew was brought to the house to 
admire the rustic furniture, but after a week of ex- 
hibiting she grew weary of repeating verbally the 
methods of manufacturing the set, and then she set- 
tled down to use it when at work on the bead- 
loom. 

The table and a chair were carried to the birches 
still green, growing in one corner of the grass-plat, 
and here Zan wove the banding, her nimble fingers 
flying in and out, back and forth, as the bead trimming 
began to take on unique and pretty pictures of camp- 
life. 

Now and then some of the other girls would join 
Zan and work on the looms, and at these visits tongues 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 211 

would talk of the many plans for Tribe activities that 
Winter. 

“ Do you see any improvement in Eleanor ? ” asked 
Jane, one day. 

“ Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss 
Miller the same thing this morning,’’ replied Zan. 

‘*What did she say?” from Jane. 

She thought the change wrought for the better 
was more mental and spiritual than in material ex- 
pression, but the results were bound to be apparent 
to everyone in time.” 

“ Guess it will be a long time, then! ” retorted Jane. 

“ Miss Miller says we mustn’t feel that way about 
it. That we are killing the frail child of a weak but 
higher aspiration. If we train our thoughts to con- 
sider the motives and yearnings for a more harmonious 
life that the girl must have, we will not condemn and 
criticise her acts. It is the human judgment of things 
that makes obstacles in the road of one’s advancement, 
she told me.” 

‘‘ Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss 
Miller,” sighed Jane, gazing skyward. 

“ Say, you’re not the only one holding a mortgage 
on that wish 1 Every blessed girl of Wako Tribe tries 
to copy the model Guide,” said Zan, smilingly, as she 
remembered Fiji’s words: “If you knew as much as 
your Guide, what a wonderful sister you would be. ” 

Miss Miller had reports to make out that week-end 
so there was no hope of camping, but the girls felt 
they had so much to do in the city that the outing 


THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


would not be missed. A plan was made for the follow- 
ing week, however, to camp on the Palisades. The 
Guide invited the girls to meet her for a short time 
in the gymnasium that Friday, to decide upon a loca- 
tion for the camp. 

Miss Miller was not in the room when the girls 
gathered together, but she came in shortly afterward. 
Her face beamed with pleasant news and Zan im- 
mediately said: 

‘‘We know from your expression that you know 
something good ! ’’ 

“Yes, I do, and the letter just came on the last 
mail. I just received the pass for our Band admitting 
us to the lectures and cinematograph pictures given at 
the National Museum of History in New York. They 
start next week and the course, which is on Indian 
Crafts and Folk Lore beginning with the Zuni Indians, 
will be of great interest and help to us. I want every 
one of you girls to try and attend these lectures with 
me, so better ask permission from your parents.” 

“ Oh, that is good news ! ” cried Elena. 

“We sure are indebted to you. Miss Miller, for all 
the trouble you take for our enjoyment,” added Zan. 

The other girls expressed their gratitude, too, and 
then the talk centered on the expectations of what 
these lectures would bring forth. Miss Miller saw 
the condition that often exists when folks are given 
something to look forward to in the near future — 
their thoughts fill with outlines and ideas of that 
which is to be, instead of living and making the best 


IN FALLING LEAF MOON 213 

of that which is offered at the immediate present. 
The wise Guide knew that this form of mental pic- 
turing and outlining of things, still misty and indis- 
tinct to the individual, was an undesirable state of 
imagination so she quickly changed the current of 
their thoughts by saying: 

“ Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the 
constellation of ‘Charles Wain.’ Want to hear it?” 

Naturally every girl cried for the story and they 
sat down in a circle to listen. 


CHAPTER ELEVEN 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 

HIS myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of 



Alaska and is named ' The Wain House 
People/ ” began Miss Miller. 

** Certain Indians came to a fort to live, and after 
a time began killing bears, ground-hogs, porcupines, 
mountain sheep, and other animals for food. After 
they had killed them, they cut off the heads and set 
them up on sticks about the village, then the people 
sang to these objects. 

“Now there was a young man among them who 
was to be Chief. When he was born he had been 
placed in a sheep's skin instead of cradle. As he 
grew older he was able to follow the mountain sheep 
to places on the cliffs where no one else could go, 
hence he killed more sheep than anyone else. 

“ After he had cut off and mounted the heads of 
his sheep he, too, would sing and dance about them, 
saying tauntingly : ‘ I wish I was a sheep I I wish 
my head was cut off too I ' 

“ Meantime, the mountain sheep were becoming 
angry at losing so many of their flocks and one day, 
when the villagers went up for a great hunt, they 
met a flock of sheep that led them up the steep moun- 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 215 

tain-side to a place where they appeared to be herding 
together. 

“ But once near the sheep, the people were surprised 
to see them race still higher up the side of the steep 
rocks. The young hunter who wished to be a great 
chief ran after them and became separated from his 
companions. When on the very top of the peak he 
was met by a fine looking young man who shone like 
the sun and had a long white beard like the mountain 
ancients. This stranger turned to the youth who had 
been cradled in a sheep^s skin and invited him to his 
home. He led the way inside of the mountain where 
everything looked weird and strange. Great heaps 
of horns were piled everywhere, and the stranger said : 
‘ These are the horns I am keeping to fit to the heads 
of the villagers.' 

When the young man's friends missed him they 
sought day and night without success, then they went 
home to plan how to rescue him. For many days the 
search tvas resumed Until finally they discovered his 
horn-spear stuck in the ground near thfe top of the 
peak. But no other clue could they find although they 
kept up a search for many days. 

“ Then the villagers declared that he was lost to 
them and they wailed and beat the drums for the 
hunter who came not back. 

“ Now the shining stranger tried to fit a pair of 
horns on the young hunter's head. They were heated 
and, when taken from the terrific fire that burned 
continually in the pit of the mountain, they were put 


216 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


upon and held to his head so that the poor hunter 
thought the insides of his head would be burnt out. 

“ During this trial, a few of the hunter’s friends 
still sought for him whenever they hunted on the 
mountain-side, and after a year’s time, a young man 
climbed up the peak after a flock of mountain sheep, 
and there he heard someone shout to him. He knew 
it was the friend who had been lost. He shouted back, 
but the lost friend began singing and saying : ‘ I must 
go now, the shining stranger comes and will find me.’ 

‘‘ The young man ran back to the village and told 
everyone what he had heard. They were surprised 
to hear that a stranger lived on top of the mountain, 
but one old villager said : ‘ It must be the Man-of-the- 
Sun-shining-on-the-Mountain-Peaks.’ 

“ So they set out to capture all the sheep that lived 
on that mountain, knowing that the Man-of-the-Sun 
would try to prevent his sheep from being killed. 
Then they would bargain for the life of their friend 
in exchange for the sheep. 

“ Now the sheep that lived on the very peak of the 
mountain could see down into the valleys when the 
villagers went out to hunt. And they said to the young 
man: ‘Your people come again to kill all the sheep. 
Tell them, therefore, that if they will throw away 
their weapons we will let you go, but if they persist 
in killing our flocks we will also kill you.’ 

“ The young captive then went out on the very edge 
of the cliff and called down to his people : ‘ The sheep 
say they will send me back if you will give up the 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 217 

chase of their flocks. Now you must hear them or 
I shall be thrown into the pit of fire.’ 

‘‘ But the young hunter who heard the voice called 
back : ‘ We must have food. What shall we do with- 
out sheep ? ’ 

“ Then an old ram came up to the captive and said : 
‘ Tell them if they must have us for food, they can 
at least hang up our sheep-skins on the poles which 
hold our heads. If the heads and skins are faced 
toward the rising sun our Chief will bring us all 
safely home again for another time. If you stick 
eagles’ feathers on our skins we can fly from your 
village without trouble. You should mount the heads 
of grizzly bears on poles and face them toward the 
night. For they are wicked animals.’ 

So the captive repeated the words of the ram and 
when he had finished speaking he was hurried back 
inside the mountain for fear his friends would shoot 
at and kill the sheep waiting on the peak. 

“ And the people did try to kill the sheep and re- 
cover their friend, and so many of the flock were 
killed and carried away that the Man-of-the-Shining- 
Sun came out and spoke. 

‘‘ ‘ This is the last time the mountain sheep will 
talk with you. If your people will not do as we say, 
then I will kill you. But if they will listen to you and 
will not make war on the sheep till Fall, when we 
always go down from the peaks to graze in the timber 
lands below the glacier, then they can come with their 
dogs and save you.’ 


^18 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘ In the Autumn, therefore, the people prepared to 
make a great hunt and kill sheep for Winter food. 
The sheep were already in the timber lands below the 
glacier and when the villagers came up the side of the 
mountain the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun sent the captive 
down the steep cliff to meet his friends. As he stood 
there with horns on his head and a sheep-skin covering 
his body, the dogs thought he was a sheep and charged 
upon him. But they soon recognised a friend and ran 
back to bark for the hunters. 

When the villagers heard the story they promised 
they would not kill any sheep that year, but hunt for 
grizzlies and deer for food. They broke their spears 
and other weapons and threw them over the side of 
the cliff, and as they did so the horns fell off and the 
sheep-skin disappeared from the young man’s form. 
And he stood forth strong and courageous as ever; 
his people found he sipelled like the things that grow 
up on top of the mountains where the wind and sky 
and earth are pure and sweet. 

“ The people were happy and escorted him to the 
village. The moment he saw the sheep-skins lying 
about he said : ‘ Dampen these and hang them up on 
poles with feathers stuck to them. Place them facing 
the rising sun as I promised the ram we would do.’ 

“When the skins were ready to mount the young 
man painted each face red and stuck eagles’ down on 
the backs. As he hung each skin facing the sun he 
said : ‘ You are in just the position your Chief ordered, 
now fly away.’ 


219 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 

‘‘ Early the next morning the fort shook as with 
a mighty earth-quake and every piece of flesh that 
had been eaten from the sheep-skins was replaced by 
new flesh, and as the young chief opened the door 
of his wigwam the sheep-skins, now plumped out and 
alive again, ran away towards the mountain. 

But, strange to say, the sheep-skins had been so 
long with the people that many of them had beards 
when their skins filled out again. And many of the 
sheep forgot their mountain habits and wandered 
about at the foot of the cliffs, so that they became 
tame and lived with men ever after. 

After the sheep were sent back to the mountains, 
the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun on the Mountain Peak 
sent a good spirit to the young chief who had obeyed 
and kept his promise. The spirit would be his 
strength so that he could do anything he wanted 
done. 

‘‘At the gift presented to their young chief the 
people rejoiced greatly, and made him a pair of snow- 
shoes, a shaman's mask, and many bows and arrows. 
Then the chief ordered the people to come to him. 
They were then at Fort-by-a-small-lake, which was 
west of Juneau City, and there they built a big house 
for the chief with a good spirit. On the door-posts 
of this house they carved the signs of the Great Dip- 
per. Then the shaman fasted four days and four 
nights and when the constellation appeared and blessed 
the people, those people were called Wain House 
People and have been so called ever since.” 


220 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“There isn’t much hidden truth in that legend,” 
said Zan, who felt disappointed with the story. 

“ I liked it, all right,” said Elena. 

“ It’s a queer tale — some of those Indian stories 
are so impossible as to be ridiculous,” commented 
Hilda. 

“ In our translations perhaps, but we must remem- 
ber that many words in the Eskimo are impossible 
to translate properly and still retain beauty and sense. 
But the story goes to show that at a remote age the 
Alaskan Indians knew and named the ' Wain,’ even 
as the present age does.” 

The week-end determined upon for a camp on the 
Hudson proved to be perfect October weather, and 
great was the buzzing about the gymnasium as the 
girls packed their outfits and waited for the three 
autos to carry them to the nearest place for the Alpine 
camp. 

Miss Miller had heard much about the wild grandeur 
and beauty of Alpine in the Autumn, and she had pic- 
tured a beautiful place of Nature. But she was dis- 
appointed when the cars stopped on the Fort Lee road 
and Jim said : 

“ This is as far as we can safely go.” 

The girls were compelled, therefore, to carry their 
outfits across the stubbly fields to reach the woods that 
fringed the river cliffs. The chauffeurs gave all the 
assistance they could, and when the woods were 
reached they left to return home, while the campers 
struggled on to find a suitable site, 



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CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 221 

The entire area along the Palisades had been pur- 
chased as city property and was being ploughed over ; 
diseased timber was cut down, and down timber 
chopped up ready to remove, when the Tribe first 
caught a glimpse of the place. Wherever a clearing 
had been, was now used for piling up refuse, stones, 
and brushwood. The day was unusually warm for 
the season and the heavy packs which had to be carried 
to camp did not help anyone to feel more cheerful. 

“ Oh, this is awful ! I wish I had never come ! 
complained Eleanor, stopping every other moment to 
gasp and rest. 

'' It isn’t very alluring, I must admit,” said Miss 
Miller, as disappointed as the others. 

“Great Caesar’s ghost! What are they going to 
do with this upside-down area ! ” finally cried Nita, 
as she caught her toe in some half-buried trash 
and fell head-long into a rut newly ploughed that 
week. 

“ It’s in the throes of being transformed into a 
Park I ” laughed Zan. 

“ Oh no I ” called Jane, “ this is the evolution of a 
dancing floor for Nita.” 

After many stumblings and grumblings, the Tribe 
reached the cool shadows of the woodland where they 
found a plain trail running along the crest of the river 
bank. Zan led the way and after they had gone some 
distance through the dense woods she came to a 
natural clearing that projected far over on the cliff. 
She went out there and instantly dropped her pack. 


222 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Oh ! Come here and see the wonderful view ! ’’ 
shouted she. 

Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly 
ran out to join Zan. 

“ Ah ! This repays us for all the toil and hardships 
endured,” exclaimed Miss Miller, with clasped hands, 
admiring the view. 

From the point where they stood, hundreds of feet 
above the majestic Hudson, they could see up and 
down the river for miles. The city of Yonkers was 
opposite, and the river-craft plying the Hudson pro- 
vided interesting scenes to the girls. The gorgeous 
colouring of foliage on both sides of the river clothed 
the hills and cliffs with beautiful tones made by Na- 
ture’s paint-brush. The air was sweet and warm, and 
crickets, some late birds, and insects added their voices 
to the general music of the Falling Leaf Moon. 

‘‘ I wish we could camp near here,” ventured Jane. 

‘‘ I thought I heard running water before you joined 
me. Maybe we can find a brook or spring,” suggested 
Zan. 

I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here 
called Alpine Falls. If we could only find it!” said 
Miss Miller. 

Let’s separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage 
here for the time,” responded Zan. 

But they had not far to search, for Zan had heard 
falling water, part way down the steep Palisades, fall- 
ing from a great height on a rocky peak to a glen 
beneath. The stream that fed the falls had worn a 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 




narrow but deep gully on top of the cliffs, and Miss 
Miller was the one to discover it as she sought for a 
good camp-site. A rustic bridge spanned the ravine 
and a path led a circuitous way down to the ledge 
where the Falls formed a foamy pool before running 
over its rocky basin to tumble recklessly on down to 
join the river. 

Miss Miller wished to assure herself that it would 
be a safe spot for so many girls to camp, so she fol- 
lowed the path to the ledge and there saw a rustic 
sign nailed to a tree, “Alpine Falls — no camping al- 
lowed on this ledge.’^ 

She climbed back again and called to the Tribe to 
join her. They were delighted with the place, and 
when Miss Miller told them of the sign they agreed 
to camp at the clearing on the point and use the Falls 
for cooking and wash water. 

“ I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker,’’ 
laughed Zan, waving a hand in the direction of the 
precipice. 

“No one here guilty of that habit ! ” replied Miss 
Miller. 

So camp was pitched and preparations for supper 
well under way before Jane said: “We forgot to 
think of a swim.” 

“ Too late I Besides, we’ll have to crawl down this 
wall and see if there is any sort of a place where we 
can get in,” answered Zan. 

That evening they enjoyed riddles, charades, and 
Nita danced a wild flower dance she had invented. 


224 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Miss Miller told them of some of her interesting 
experiences while travelling in Egypt and the Old 
World, and then to bed. 

Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny 
cot and yawned. Awake in an instant, she sat up 
and sniffed. 

“ Who’s baking breakfast gems ? They smell fine ! ” 

She jumped up and peeped from the flap of the 
tent. At a good camp-fire she saw the funniest baker 
she ever thought possible to utilise. But no one was 
about, so she crept out in her pajamas and grass 
slippers to investigate. 

On a smooth stick safely driven into the ground 
near enough to the camp-fire to warrant a steady heat 
reaching it, was twisted a long flat strip of dough. 
It began to wind about the stick from the bottom and 
ended near the top. As it baked and browned on the 
side nearest the fire, a delightful aroma came from it 
and permeated the air. 

“Well, I never! If this isn’t the most ingenious 
device I ” murmured Zan, chuckling to herself. 

“Watching my bread-twist, Zan?” called a voice, 
and Zan looked over to see the Guide coming from 
the Falls where she had had a cold bath. 

“ Yes, but I was wondering how to give the off- 
side a chance to brown? ” replied Zan. 

“ I’ll show you — simple as anything.” And Miss 
Miller merely took hold of the top-end of the stick 
and gave it a sharp turn. Naturally the bread turned 
with it, and the side that was brown was now facing 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 225 

away from the fire while the other side was turned 
toward it to bake and brown. 

Zan laughed and nodded her head approvingly, then 
glanced at the other breakfast food cooking. Cereal 
was boiling in a pot hanging over the fire where the 
bread was baking, and apples were stewing in a sauce- 
pan. 

“ Did we bring apples yesterday? ’’ asked she. 

‘‘ No, but I found a little old tree down the trail 
and most of these were picked up from the ground. 
Don't they smell good ? " 

“ Um-m ! Should say they did. But tell me. Miss 
Miller — did you stay up all night to work like this ? " 
Hardly ! I got up an hour ago and mixed the 
bread dough, then started the fire. After that I wanted 
to see what kind of a country was back there, and I 
found the apples. When they were stewing and the 
cereal on boiling, I went for my morning wash.” 

ril run in and wash and dress, then Fll be back 
to help,” said Zan, starting off for the tent. 

Hilda was already up and dressing when Zan ran 
in, and both girls chattered so noisily about the bread- 
twist that the others awoke and jumped out of bed. 

When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the 
Guide asked Hilda to broil the ham while Zan spread 
the breakfast cloth. 

‘‘What can I do?” asked Jane, coming over. 

“ You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls 
and fill the cups at each plate,” returned the Guide. 

That breakfast was appreciated thoroughly by 


^26 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


everyone, for the bread was hot and crisp and the 
ham fried aS brown as any ever served by Southern 
cook. 

‘‘ After we finish breakfast and have cleared away 
the dishes, we must explore the immediate neighbour- 
hood to find out if we are on a main trail where 
visitors are liable to come and interrupt our peace,’' 
said Miss Miller. 

The camp chores done, the Tribe started for a hike, 
intending to circle their camp-site and look for possible 
intruders. They had followed the trail but a short 
distance before Miss Miller spied some fine white 
birches. Some of these had been cut down as being 
in the way for the proposed roadways of the park. 
The Guide immediately found a use for the large 
sheets of bark that were peeling from the trunks. 

‘‘ Girls, we will postpone our scouting for a time 
when there is no important work at hand, but now 
do let us collect as much of this splendid birch bark 
while it is offered us without damaging standing 
trees.” 

The Guide then showed the eager Woodcrafters 
how to peel the bark to keep it in large sections and 
not split it into strips. When everyone was laden with 
as much bark as could possibly be carried, they started 
for camp and deposited their freight on the ground. 

You need not waste a bit of this bark — even this 
bit will make the outside of a dainty pen-wiper. It 
can be cut oblong and decorated with gold-paint. With 
leaves of felt or flannel between the two sections, and 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS m 

these tied together with a cord or ribbon, it makes 
a pretty memento/' 

“ I suppose Miss Miller will find endless ways to 
use this tinder, just as she did for the sea-shore peb- 
bles and shells," remarked May, laughingly. 

I can think of enough ideas right now to keep 
you girls busy until Christmas," rejoined the Guide, 
also laughingly. 

“For instance?" questioned Zan, curious to hear 
the items. 

“ Well, you can make needle-cases, pin-cushions, 
boxes for neckties for the boys, boxes for handker- 
chiefs for parents, picture frames, veneering for rustic 
furniture. Tally Book covers, camp utensils — such as 
dishes, pots, pans, and platters, toilet sets, and many 
other things." 

“ That's right ! I never thought of using birch 
bark for such things," declared Elena. 

“Make a record of it in the Tally!" teased Zan, 
for Elena was acquiring the habit of entering every- 
thing in that book. 

“If we should find any sweet grass on our walks 
while here, we must be sure and gather it, as it is 
what is needed to sew up the seams of birch bark. If 
the grass is wound about with red linen thread it 
makes it much stronger and looks pretty, too. The 
bark must be punched with a row of holes so the 
grass-binding can pass through without tearing. I 
think we have a punch at home such as children use 
in a kindergarten school." 


^28 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to 
make out of wild-wood things ? ’’ asked May, with 
awe at the Guide’s knowledge. 

Well, I think pine cones make the oddest and 
prettiest things. The small cones combined with birch 
bark are lovely. I have made frames by glueing cones 
in patterns on thin bark-covered wooden frames. I 
have a large picture of George Washington at home 
that I framed in this way years ago. Then, too, I 
will show you a work-box that I made for my mother. 
It was made of a cigar-box and covered with bark. 
On top of the lid, and about the sides, I glued different 
kinds of cones and stems. Then I varnished the whole 
thing and it was beautiful, in my estimation. It has 
lasted to this day, and I made it over five years ago.” 

“ I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we 
used them over the windows and doors until Christmas 
time. Everyone said they looked so pretty,” said 
Elena. 

“ Why can’t we gather some of these beautiful leaves 
and do the same thing with them. Miss Miller ? ” asked 
Jane, eagerly. 

“ We must wax them with sperm and iron them 
as soon as they are cut from the branches. You see, 
the colours remain exactly the same as when they 
were gathered if you wax them before they have time 
to dry. Whole branches can be waxed this way and 
used for decorative purposes. Florists to-day use 
great masses of waxed Autumn leaves in their ex- 
hibits, or for back-grounds through the Winter 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 


229 


months. But care must be taken when ironing the 
spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron does not 
touch the stem or wood of the branch. If it does, 
the leaf will immediately fall off.” 

So much time had been taken by the collecting and 
descriptions of articles made of birch bark, that it 
was noon before anyone dreamed it was more than 
ten o'clock. 

‘‘ Girls, we ought to find a place for a swim and 
then have lunch. After that we will seek for a neigh- 
bour — if there are any on this crest,” said Miss 
Miller. 

But the girls could find no way to get down the steep 
cliff-side unless they went a long way back. So they 
gave up the hope of a swim that day and started off 
to seek for adventure. 

They had gone about a mile in a new direction when 
one of the girls glimpsed a fine old mansion painted 
so nearly like the green and russet colouring of the 
woods that it was difficult to distinguish it from its 
beautiful setting. 

“ No wonder we didn't see it before,” remarked 
Zan, gazing at its dark brown shingled sides and 
green roof. 

It doesn’t seem occupied. Maybe the people do 
not live here,” suggested Elena. 

“ There's a rustic fence with a gate. I can see a 
notice hanging on the gate — let's see what it says,” 
called Jane, who was in advance of the others. 

In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign. 


230 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘No trespassing on these grounds under penalty 
of the law.’' 

“ We’re not on their land yet, but it’s a shame to 
have a fence cut oif an adventure right in the middle 
of a trail! ” pouted Nita. 

“ It may prove a far more thrilling adventure to sit 
here and try to explain the reason for closed shutters 
and an abandoned house at this time of year,” ven- 
tured Miss Miller. 

Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along 
a side path, and doffed his cap. 

“ I beared your voices an’ I sure was s’prised to 
find a lot of school-girls. You-all seldom come as 
far as this. The ‘ Annabell ’ — that’s the launch runnin’ 
from Yonkers to Alpine and back agin — generally 
leaves ’em at the foot of the cliff where they picnic.” 

“ We saw the sign and wondered if we were tres- 
passing out here ? ” replied Miss Miller, in a question- 
ing voice. 

“ Not at all ! In fack, it would be all right for 
ladies to walk through the groun’s when no one’s 
home. The family’s gone for the season now. We 
have to keep the sign up, just the same, to keep out 
the roughs from the city who would destroy the trees 
and flowers fer nothin’. Would you like to come 
in ? ” asked the old man, politely. 

“ I think not, thank you. We are camping down 
on the point by the Falls, and this was an afternoon 
hike. Now we will go back and hunt for a spot where 
we can bathe,” explained the Guide. 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 

** I kin help you there. I haven't gone down to take 
up the two boats yet, or remove the portable bath- 
house we have on the beach, an’ you’se are welcome 
to use both boats and house if it will accommodate 
you.” 

“ Oh how lovely ! ” cried the girls, before Miss 
Miller could decide what would be the proper thing 
to do. So she smiled and thanked the generous 
stranger. 

“ I’ll jes’ run and git the keys to unlock the pad- 
locks and bring you’se the oars.” So saying, the old 
man hurried to the barn back of the mansion. 

“Now isn’t this a real adventure?” laughed Miss 
Miller. 

“ And we wouldn’t have had it if there wasn’t a 
house and a care-taker here to obstruct the trail ! ” 
added Zan. 

It didn’t take the Woodcrafters very long to run 
back to camp and find their bathing togs, then on 
down the steep path that seemed to drop sheer from 
the heights to the river-beach. 

The two boats added greatly to the fun of the water- 
sports. As every girl could swim a little, and the 
water was shallow near the shore, there was no danger 
in toppling out of the boat. 

There were some glorious battles of “ tag ” played 
with a bag of old cork found on the beach. One girl 
would throw the bag and, if it landed in the other 
boat, that side was “it” and was supposed to chase 
the opponent and try to fling the cork into their boat. 


^32 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


When they began to weary of this game, the Guide 
announced a swimming contest. Then followed a 
diving contest. Lastly a prize was offered to the girl 
who could swim under water and bring up from the 
river bottom the white flour-bag filled with sand which 
Miss Miller had prepared and was ready to drop from 
a boat into the clear depths of the river. 

The spot designated was about ten feet deep and 
about ten yards from shore, but only a few girls could 
swim under water and it transpired that only Elizabeth 
Remington could swim with her eyes open. Naturally 
she was the one to bring up the trophy. 

No wonder we couldn’t do it when we never 
tried to keep our eyes open under water — it hurts ! ” 
grumbled Zan, who disliked to be outdone by another 
girl. 

Miss Miller silently exulted in the success of her 
little plan, for she knew Elizabeth could accom- 
plish the deed and wanted the other girls to see her 
do it, thus imbuing them with the desire to try 
also. 

“ Maybe it hurts at first, but Fm going to get that 
bag! ” declared Jane, plunging in and trying to open 
her eyes while swimming under the water. 

Others dared the test also, and soon all were sputter- 
ing or laughing at their trials and failures. Finally, 
however, each one could brag of being able to keep 
eyes open if but for a few seconds while swimming 
under water. 

As they climbed the cliff again, Miss Miller said : 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 


“ I think it is as important to know how to swim 
under water with your eyes open to see what you are 
meeting, as it is to keep your eyes open when crossing 
a thoroughfare.” 

Ha! Discovered in the act! ” laughed Zan, point- 
ing an accusing finger at the Guide. 

Miss Miller laughed also and nodded. 

^‘What?” questioned May. 

“ She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen 
to learn the trick,” hastily explained Jane, who saw 
the nod and guessed rightly. 

That evening while sitting about the camp-fire Miss 
Miller suggested a Hallow E’^n treat for Zan’s birth- 
day. She spoke of many ways Woodcrafters could 
celebrate, providing the weather was fair for a week- 
end camp in the woods. 

Then Elena made a suggestion. I am going to 
design and make a Woodcraft article to give our 
Chief for a birthday gift.” 

I think that’s great! I’ll do one, too,” added Jane. 

So will I,” echoed Hilda. 

“ Let’s all make something in Woodcraft for the 
party,” said Nita. 

'' Girls, why not exchange gifts with each other and 
make them ourselves in Woodcraft style? We need 
not limit the giving to Zan, you know,” suggested the 
Guide. 

‘‘ Gracious me ! It will take a pile of presents and 
ages to finish them all,” exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur; 
“ I can’t do it.” 


234f THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


I had no idea of elaborate gifts. For instance, 
Nita can dance a new step on the evening of the party, 
and teach it to Zan for a present. That will not take 
her long nor be much work,’^ explained Miss Miller. 

“Oh, that won’t be a gift!” laughed Nita. 

“Why not? Won’t it be the expression of your 
desire to give pleasure to another? And won’t Zan 
remember your love and generosity that really consti- 
tutes true giving ? It is a mistake to look at the mate- 
rial object as the gift, and forget the loving spirit that 
formed the thought which expressed itself in the thing. 
The material gift is destructible, but the love of a 
friend remains forever the true gift.” 

“ According to Miss Miller, then, we will be silly 
to waste time on producing material objects when we 
can easily wish our love on anyone,” retorted Eleanor, 
in an unpleasant tone. 

“ Eleanor, when we reach that state of perfect 
brotherhood of which Jesus spoke as Heaven, we 
shall exchange love and goodness without the material 
accompaniment, but while still on earth our limited 
vision and other senses require the expression in kind 
as we are, to be able to realise the love and desire to 
make others happy. That is why we are compelled 
to plan and work before our friends know the state 
of our feelings. For instance, your words spoken in 
tones and expression of human resentment show me 
quite plainly that your thought is wrong — that you 
rebel in mind against doing what was proposed by 
the love of the other girls. But I may not have realised 


CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS 235 

this state of your thought had you not expressed it — 
see what I mean ? ” said Miss Miller, meaningly. 

Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly 
said : “ Say, girls, we can all win coups that will 

count if we make some Woodcraft things mentioned 
in the Manual ! ” 

‘‘ So we can ! And each can choose what she likes,’* 
abetted Jane. 


CHAPTER TWELVE 


A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW e’eN 

TN the days following the camp-talk, the girls saw 
^ little of each other after school, as they were busy 
working on the gifts to be distributed at the Hallow 
E’en camp. 

Zan had spoken of a pattern Nita had for a dancing 
costume, so Nita made the dress of cotton crepe, cost- 
ing very little in coin of the realm but much in thought 
and work. She disliked sewing and the very fact that 
she spent so much time to have the costume neatly 
finished spoke highly for her progress in character 
as well as of her way of expressing friendship. 

For the other girls, Nita wrote out simple directions 
to dance improvised steps of old dances. She also 
printed simple music fitted to go with the unique steps. 

For Miss Miller, she made an artistic programme 
for the Gift Ceremony which was explained to her 
by Mrs. Remington. This was to be used on the 
occasion of the birthday evening. 

Hilda naturally followed the line of least resistance 
in selecting her gifts. She made candy, baked a cake, 
wrote out a tiny Tally Book of recipes for the Guide, 
and having packed the candies in empty boxes she 
always saved for the purpose, she did each package 

m 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 237 


up in yellow crepe paper and tied it with black cord; 
on the knot tied on top of the boxes she fastened a 
black cardboard bat or a witch with a broom-stick. 

Elena, adept with the brush, made individual Tally 
Books of brown butcher paper and bound them in 
leather with thong strips to fasten them together. She 
had secured the small remnants of tanned leather at 
a wholesale leather house in the factory-district of 
the city. The Tallies were decorated with the name 
of the individual artistically printed in India ink, and 
the scroll decorations were so wrought that black cats, 
witches, pumpkins, broom-sticks, bats, and other sug- 
gestive things of Hallow E’en were featured as a 
remembrance of the party. 

Jane made a dozen narrow beaded head-bands which 
showed in the designs the meaning of Hallow E’en. 
They were very beautiful and were sure to be appre- 
ciated by the girls. Besides those for each member 
of the Band she made one for Elizabeth Remington, 
who was invited to the party, and one for Miss Miller. 

Zan made the unique decorations for the party. 
Each was wrapped in paper and the name of the girl 
printed in plain view. These gifts were original and 
diversified in style. 

She took empty cereal boxes — square ones as well 
as the round cartons used by Quaker Oats — and cut 
designs in the sides, having sketched the pattern on 
the cardboard before cutting away. A metal clip 
as is generally used on Christmas trees to hold the 
candles was inserted in the bottom of the box and 


238 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


fastened to hold a candle when necessary. Picture 
wire was fastened at the top to suspend the box. 
When this was finished, she blackened the entire box 
with cheap shoe-polish to represent wrought iron. 

Zan also found two Edam cheese cases about to 
be thrown away and these she captured for use. The 
contents had all been scraped out, so she cut a hole 
in the bottom of the rind for a candle socket, then 
cut grotesque mouth, nose, and eyes in the sides. 
Wire was used at the top to hang them by and when 
finished they looked very funny. These Zan meant 
for Miss Miller as a joke. 

Her next idea was to collect a number of empty 
tin cans and melt off the jagged rims left when the 
covers had been cut out. A few perforations were 
made in the bottoms for drainage, and the sides 
painted an ivory white with black stencilled designs 
on them. Some of these were Egyptian figures copied 
from ancient friezes shown in a book. When these 
cans were filled with soil and a plant inserted, the 
effect was very artistic and at little expense. 

May Randall, who had won the prize for carpentry, 
made small boxes with leather hinges and brass- 
studded corners. She burnt designs on covers and 
sides and touched up points here and there with red 
or blue paint, then varnished the whole surfaces. 
These were meant for wampum, badges, or other 
Woodcraft trinkets. 

Another new member selected pottery for her gifts. 
She made original designs and when these were fin- 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 2S9 

ished and touched up with black paint and bright 
colours they were very artistic. 

Another girl made fire-boards. She used the oval 
bread-boards sold for five cents each in the five and 
ten cent stores. The ovals were sawed in the centre, 
giving two sections for each. Four half-ovals were 
hinged to a square board so they would fold down 
when not in use. The rounded sides were then dec- 
orated with symbols of the Winds and Fire. When 
varnished and completed, they proved very fine and 
useful. 

Frances used the birch bark she had saved from the 
Alpine camp. Trays, jewel-boxes, waste-baskets, pic- 
ture frames, work-boxes, and other ideas were carried 
out. The birch bark was soaked in hot water until 
soft, then shaped as desired. The lacing of edges 
was made of raffia also softened in water. Where 
strong lacing was necessary several strands of raffia 
or grass were braided together and used. The sides 
of the ornaments made were decorated in sepia paint, 
representing forest scenes or Woodcraft designs. 

Other unique and lovely ideas were expressed indi- 
vidually by each girl, so that not only was a great 
variety of gifts ready for the event, but the manu- 
facturers had had experience in handicraft and were 
able to count the work for coups in Woodcraft. 

The time had passed rapidly while everyone was at 
work on pleasant and absorbing occupation, and the 
last Wednesday preceding the Friday they expected 
to start for the Hallow E’en camp had arrived. That 


^40 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

noon, Miss Miller sent word to each girl that an im- 
portant letter would be considered at a special meeting 
in the gymnasium directly after school in the after- 
noon. 

At such a time no one dreamed of being late or 
absent, so Miss Miller was able to read the letter she 
had received a short time after classes were dismissed. 

^‘Respected Members of Wako Tribe: I have 
watched with deep interest the manufacturing, by your 
Chief, of certain objects meant to celebrate a Hallow 
E’en party. I also heard that no particular place 
had yet been determined upon for this important 
camp-meeting, so I hasten to solve the problem for 
you. 

“ My family and a few friends expect to visit 
Wickeecheokee Farm this week-end and enjoy a nut- 
ting party in the woods. If Wako Tribe will accept 
our invitation, they can camp on the Bluff for this 
week-end and join us in our out-door fun. Mrs. 
Baker and the other guests will occupy the house, so 
you will not be disturbed in your Woodcraft meetings 
if you desire privacy. 

‘'The autos will leave our house at four o’clock 
Friday afternoon. Please reply at once. 

“ Cordially yours, 

“ Frederick Baker, M.D.” 

Long before Miss Miller concluded reading this 
communication subdued sounds of joy and excitement 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 241 


were heard from the girls, and the moment it was 
finished Jane cried : 

“Did you know anything of this, Zan?” 

“ Cross my heart — not a thing ! ” declared Zan, 
earnestly. 

“ Did you know. Miss Miller ? ” questioned several 
girls, turning to the Guide. 

“ Not until Monday, when I was asked over the 
’phone what I thought of the plan, and I said it was 
splendid.” 

“ I s’pose we will accept, eh? ” asked Anne Mason, 
anxiously. 

“Accept! Well I guess yes!” retorted Jane. 

“Chump Mark for Jenny!” laughed Elena. 

“ Humph ! Slang is imperative under such exciting 
conditions ! ” replied Zan, glancing sympathetically at 
Jane. 

“ Never mind that talk — wasting good time — hurry 
up and compose an answer to the doctor’s letter ! ” 
cried Hilda. 

“ I’ll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time,” 
added Zan. 

“ I suppose Elizabeth will go with us — shall I tele- 
phone Mrs. Remington -and find out?” asked the 
Guide. 

“If Fiji and Bob and Jack Hubert are going — as 
I s’pose they are — we ought to invite Fred and Billy 
Remington, too,” suggested Zan. 

“ I think your mother has already attended to that. 
.We will find out,” and Miss Miller took up the receiver. 


242 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Then the girls learned that everyone at Mossy Crest 
had been invited, but Mrs. Remington had an im- 
portant Woodcraft Council that Friday night and 
could not accept, but Elizabeth was delighted to go 
.with Wako Tribe. 

Now thaCs settled we can say ‘ yes ’ to the invita- 
tion,” said Jane, impatiently. 

It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr. 
Baker and then the girls chattered excitedly again. 

“Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?” 
asked Zan. 

“ I have,” came from many, and “ Most done,” 
from others. 

And from the Guide : “ I followed an original idea 
that promises to give some fun but will not be a part 
of your ceremony. No need to ask questions of me, 
as I do not intend to speak of my secret until the time 
arrives.” 

Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked 
no questions that would bring down a significant 
silence upon them. 

Friday was a perfect October day and at four 
o^clock sharp the cars filled with happy Woodcrafters 
left Dr. Baker ^s house. The ride through the lovely 
country glowing in Autumn colours, and the mingled 
odours of drying hay, woodsy scents, and late flowers 
made everyone feel good. 

Arrived at Wickeecheokee Farm, Mrs. Baker and 
the party of boys were left at the house while the 
members of Wako Tribe continued on the road that 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 243 


ran over the Big Bridge and passed Bill Sherwood’s 
cottage. Here the Woodcrafters jumped out and 
started for the Bluff that could be plainly seen from 
the road. 

Bill and his wife, the resident farmers, welcomed 
the girls and the former declared : Looks like the 

good old Summertime wid all you’se girls here 
again.” 

‘‘ Chump Mark for your slang, Bill ! ” laughed Zan. 

And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark 
meant, grinned and replied : Ya’as, Miss San, it 

sure was a fine camp ! ” 

That night after dishes were cleared away, the boys 
brought the chestnuts they had found and everyone 
crowded about the glowing embers of the camp-fire 
and roasted the delicious nuts. Then the boys sang 
glee-songs and the girls told Folk Stories till time 
for bed. 

“ Now don’t oversleep, girls,” shouted Fiji, as the 
boys followed Mrs. Baker away from the Bluff. 

** If you’re not ready to start when we call in the 
morning, we’ll just go on without you,” added Fred 
Remington. 

“We want to get bags and bags of chestnuts in the 
morning, ’cause we’ve got other things to do in the 
afternoon for the party to-morrow night,” explained 
Jack Hubert. 

“Oh say! Don’t talk as if we were the sleepy- 
heads that you boys are! Don’t we know you!” 
scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances which 


THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


said as plain as could be : Trying to pose with their 
sisters present ! ’’ 

And so it proved. The girls were ready and im- 
patiently calling or signalling before the boys ap- 
peared on the trail coming through the woods from 
the farm-house. 

That morning a great harvest of hickory nuts and 
chestnuts was gathered and by the time the hunters 
were back at camp they were half-famished from the 
crisp, cold air and bracing exercise. 

Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and 
the moment he was at the house began : 

“ Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we’re going 
hunting this afternoon. The other little boys can do 
that work for you.” 

‘‘ Indeed you’re not! Rifle or no rifle, Fred is my 
guest and he will not use the fire-arm while I have 
anything to do about it.” 

“ Oh pshaw. Mum ! He knows everything about 
a gun 1 He and I won’t go near anyone else, and you 
know you can trust me!” coaxed Fiji. 

'' Fred, get the rifle for me, please. I will return 
it when we get back to the city. I know too much 
about promises to be careful. I think it is perfectly 
safe for you to use the gun when you are with ex- 
perienced hunters or alone, but not with a party of 
boys who never held a rifle in proper position before. 
This Winter I propose having the boys take lessons 
in a shooting gallery I know of, and then it will be 
different.” 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 245 


The wild dreams of bringing a deer or grizzly bear 
to camp, or at least a small harmless rabbit, vanished 
for Fiji. Consequently, he was moody when the other 
boys started out to gather the long creepers and 
branches of brilliant Autumn leaves meant to decorate 
the house for the evening’s entertainment. 

But the effect of invigorating air and scrambling 
over ledges of rock could not long keep anyone in a 
moody or sulky spell, and Fiji was the liveliest of the 
lively boys before he returned home laden with the 
Fall harvest of the woods. 

Mrs. Baker was invited to attend the afternoon 
Birthday Council, and at three o’clock the Chief 
opened the meeting with the usual prayer and other 
ceremonies. After Tally Reports were read, and 
coups awarded to some of the new members and a 
few of the old ones of the Band, the feature of the 
Council began. 

“ O Chief ! ” commenced the Guide, standing and 
saluting Zan. “ I suggest that we perform the Gift 
Ceremony of the Zuhi Indians in distributing our 
gifts. Mrs. Remington loaned me the sacred otter 
skin for this purpose and Elizabeth knows the rite by 
heart, so I propose that she act the principal part with 
Zan as second.” 

'' How ! ” approved the Council members, so the 
Chief took up the tomtom. 

Sitting at one side of the Circle, dressed in her cere- 
monial robes, Zan beat the tomtom while Elizabeth, 
also gorgeously arrayed in beaded costume, represent- 


246 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

ing Wako Tribe for that time, entered the Ring hop- 
stepping, and followed by the other members. As 
each girl passed the tomtom she paid tribute to the 
sacred instrument by an obeisance to the East for 
reverence, to the South, playfully, to the West with 
awe, and to the North for protection from all cold. 
Then they all sat in their places about the Council Fire 
to hear the Guide speak. 

“ To-day the braves of Wako Tribe won a great 
victory. The warriors of another Tribe, dwelling in 
the camp made by White Men, over-slept and were 
late on the war-path. But my Braves, led by our 
great Chief, were ready with paint and weapons to 
fight the as yet unseen enemy. 

“ With bags and baskets, we followed the trail which 
led to the sometime hidden chestnuts, or again some 
were found lying in ambush in the long wild grass. 
Many captives were made to bring back to camp for 
the fire and feast which celebrate the victory to-night. 
Hidden rascals, so surrounded by the sharp arrow 
points sticking from the chestnut burrs that we had 
many a finger-wound from them, were finally scalped 
— their burrs cracked open and the prisoners taken 
away. 

Some of our warriors were struck on the head 
by falling shells from hickory trees where the nuts 
had grown and awaited this opportunity to drive away 
assailants. But with the very act of striking us with 
shells, they also burst open, fell to earth, and thus 
were captured. 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN ^47 


“We left many empty worthless shells on the battle- 
field, but the prisoners shall be roasted at our war- 
dance to-night ! ” 

As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing 
“ How’s ! ” came from the girls for the extempora- 
neous war-talk. 

At a signal sounded on the tomtom, Elizabeth came 
from the shelter of a huge tree-trunk and entered the 
Council Ring in solemn manner. She carried the 
Ceremonial Blanket which was upheld high with both 
hands in front of her. This blanket was spread out 
upon the ground, the four corners being four-square 
to the four imaginary corners of the earth and the 
four winds. 

Standing on the rear edge of the blanket, Elizabeth 
bowed to the East, then to the South, next to the 
West, and fourth to the North ; last, to Wakanda and 
to Maka Ina. 

She then took the peace-pipe from the Chief and 
wafted its smoke to the four winds and placed the 
pipe on the blanket parallel to its front edge near 
the circle of Woodcrafters, and near the front edge 
of the blanket. 

The Chief then brought the Sacred Otter Skin and 
placed it over Elizabeth’s out-stretched hands. This 
was presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then a 
magic circle was woven all about the outside of the 
blanket to ward off all evil spirits. 

This motion was done by waving the otter skin, as 
if swimming, holding it about two feet above the 


m THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


gfound, being careful to keep the skin extended hori- 
zontally on top of the hands, which were held about 
eighteen inches apart. The circle woven, the otter 
skin was placed upon the blanket next to the pipe and 
parallel with it. 

The Chief then brought and presented to Elizabeth 
the bowl of Sacred Corn Meal. This was lifted up 
and presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then corn 
meal was sprinkled on the pipe and otter skin, Eliza- 
beth kneeling on the blanket and moving on her knees 
to accomplish this ceremony. 

‘‘ This magic circle now woven and complete may 
not be crossed by anyone holding evil intentions,'' said 
Elizabeth solemnly. 

Now came the ceremony of distributing the gifts 
which were brought in baskets or upon large grass 
mats and left near the blanket where the Chief could 
reach them. As each gift was taken up, the Chief 
handed it to Elizabeth who called out the name written 
on the package. Then the receiver came up, bowed 
low before the blanket, and received tKe gift. It was 
then opened, admired, and gratefully acknowledged, 
before the recipient stepped backward to her seat in 
the Circle. 

When all the gifts were bestowed, Elizabeth bowed 
and lifted the sacred otter skin and placed it across 
the bowl of corn meal. Next the pipe was taken up 
and laid upon the otter skin and then all three were 
lifted in both hands and held high above her head as 
she moved backward on her knees to the rear edge 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 249 


of the blanket. There she rose to her feet and de- 
parted with the bowl, otter skin, and pipe. 

After many exclamations of delight, surprise, and 
thanks to the girls who had worked so well on the 
gifts, it was found that not one gift had been bestowed 
by Miss Miller. This was the proper time for the 
Guide to speak. 

“ O Chief ! If you and Elizabeth will accompany 
me to yon cabin I will see that my share of the enter- 
tainment is finished.” 

Wonder ingly, the two girls went with the Guide 
and carried many suggestive packages from the cabin 
to the Council Ring. Miss Miller carried an enormous 
bundle, but no one could gain the slightest hint of its 
contents. 

Laughing at the curious faces of the girls watching 
as the strings were cut, the Guide unwrapped a red, 
white, and blue paper object that had a long bam- 
boo handle protruding from its midst of rioting 
colours. 

“O Brother Warriors, what can it be?” laughed 
Zan, looking at the girls. 

‘‘ O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that 
question! ” retorted Jane, creating a general laugh at 
her irreverent reply. 

“ But Wakanda gave me the idea to make this and 
I hold the power to explain it,” said Miss Miller, re- 
bukingly, even as she smiled at Jane’s retort. 

As she spoke she pushed down upon a wire and as 
the patriotic colours spread out lo! there appeared 


250 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


a giant urnbrella in the American colours. The bam- 
boo pole was the centre-rod and handle. 

** Goodness gracious me ! ” exclaimed Zan. “ How 
under the sun did you ever get it so large and to work 
so easy? ’’ 

I took an ancient umbrella for a foundation and 
then bound on the extra reeds to the original ribs to 
make it longer and larger all round. Then I glued the 
paper on the tops,” explained the Guide. 

“ It makes a great American shade for us,” giggled 
Elena. 

‘‘ Ought to be labelled * Made in America,’ ” added 
Jane. 

“ But what I want to know is ‘ Why-for and Where- 
for?’” said Nita. 

‘‘ I see that no one suspects the plot, so I will have 
to tell,” laughed Miss Miller, sticking the bamboo 
handle in a wooden block having a clamp to hold it 
upright — something like the tree holders at Christmas 
time. But this holder permitted the upper section of 
the block to swing around on a pivot fastened to the 
lower section-block. 

When the handle was securely fastened Miss Miller 
gave the huge umbrella a twirl to see if it worked 
well, and still the girls stood wondering what it all 
was for. 

'' Now get busy, girls, and hand me the packages 
while I tie them on these sticks,” adHscd the Guide, 
attaching a small package as she spoke. 

“ The heavy ones that will drag the ribs down too 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 251 


far we will spread on the grass and tie a card with 
the name of the owner on the stick instead of the 
bundle itself,” continued Miss Miller, as a large box 
was handed her. 

With many hands to help, the packages were soon 
in place, and then the Guide said : 

“We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella 
and as I swing it about we sing: 

“ Merrily in this Council Ring, 

Dancing gayly as we sing, 

What will this umbrella bring 
When we change to hippety-hop 
And our Chief calls out to stop ? 

“We can dance any step we like, but the moment 
I call out ' Change ! ’ you all have to change your steps 
to a hippety-hop step ; then when Zan calls out ‘ Stop ’ 
you have to stop short where you are. I will call a 
name from my list and whoever is opposite that name 
removes it from the umbrella. If it happens to belong 
to the one removing it from the stick, well and good, 
but if the one who opens it is not the owner, she holds 
it up to view and calls out the name of the owner. At 
the same time she starts to run around the ring on 
the outside, and the owner to whom the package be- 
longs must catch her. If she has not caught her in 
three rounds about the ring, the hunter pays a forfeit 
to secure the prize. At the end of our game we will 
redeem the forfeits.” 

“ What an original game ! ” exclaimed May. 


252 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


** But so childish ! ” complained Eleanor. 

Pity we haven’t more of the simple childlike pleas- 
ures,” added Mrs. Baker, who had overheard the 
remark. 

‘‘ Now then, girls — ready? ” called the Guide, ignor- 
ing the criticism from Eleanor. 

‘'Yes — all ready!” called most of the girls. 

The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun 
around while the girls sang the rollicking verse, but 
Zan forgot to call “ Change,” so they concluded the 
song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages 
flying out to the extreme end of the strings. 

Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and 
she promised to do better next time. “ I only did it 
that time to give you girls practise,” said she, laugh- 
ingly. 

The chorus of denials might have deafened every- 
one had not the Guide shouted : “ Now, once again, 
girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays two 
forfeits! ” 

“How! How!” followed this agreeable statement, 
and the umbrella whirled again. 

“ Change ! ” shouted Zan at the word, and some of 
the girls did change the step correctly while others 
were in doubt. 

“ Here — a forfeit from each one of you ! ” de- 
manded Zan, and the punishment made the game more 
exciting. 

“The next time the same one mistakes she pays 
double ! ” added Zan, placing the forfeits in a basket. 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 253 


But the girls were beginning to learn how it was 
played, and the first game ended with everyone laugh- 
ing or jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a 
paper from a bag and read out a name. 

“ Elena Marsh,” read Mrs. Baker. 

Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite 
her, and Jane called : “ Here it is, in front of me.” 

“ Jane removes it and runs about the circle with 
Elena after her,” added Miss Miller. 

Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet- 
footed, after her, until in the third round the pursuer 
caught up and held her captive. 

Great interest was shown as Elena opened the pack- 
age and showed a small box of French pastels. 

“ Oh ! ” sighed she in ecstasy, “ Eve wanted one of 
these ever since I was born ! ” 

Everyone laughed and Zan added : ** I bet you 

daubed and designed through many incarnations be- 
fore this present one.” 

“ Come ahead, girls ! I want to see if Miss Miller 
gave me a new riding-habit — I want one badly ! ” 
called Jane. 

So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl 
began. 

It happened to be Edith Remington’s name that was 
chosen, and the package stopped directly opposite the 
child, so with trembling fingers she untied the string 
and found a box of water-colours and all the ac- 
cessories to work with. 

“ Oh, Miss Miller, I’m so much obliged to you ! ” 


254 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

exclaimed the delighted little girl, making a quaint 
curtsey. 

The game continued, some claimants having to pay 
forfeits and some winning the award, until all were 
called out. The -gifts were very appropriate for each 
one and afforded much pleasure; but Zan had a 
grievance. 

“ Miss Miller, I think you’re real mean not to give 
us a chance to have something on the umbrella for 
you, too.” 

That wasn’t my fault, Zan. I thought of the 
umbrella and made it, but your mother insisted upon 
buying the gifts. She brought them to the farm all 
wrapped and ready to distribute.” 

‘‘ It isn’t like mother to forget anyone — Mumsie, 
where is Miss Miller’s gift?” shouted Zan, as she 
saw her mother returning from the cabin. 

“ Right here ! It was so heavy it would have broken 
down the carefully built up umbrella, so I left it for 
the last gift.” 

The large flat package was handed to the Guide, 
who took it with amazement in her eyes, for she had 
not expected anything. Midst the laughter of her 
girls, the Guide carried the heavy parcel to the rustic 
table and began opening the outside paper. 

She found another well-tied paper covering within 
and tried to unknot the string. But it had to be cut, 
as it was so twisted and bound about the package. 

Inside this wrapper was still another, and Mrs. 
Baker cried: “That Fiji! I told him to wrap the 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN 255 

box up carefully and I shouldn’t wonder but what he 
used as many papers as he does on April Fool’s 
Day!” 

After more than a dozen wrappers, each tied well 
and knotted with heavy twine, had been removed, the 
last paper was cut away. The Guide took out a 
japanned-tin box and upon opening it the Wood- 
crafters all said Ah ! ” 

There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a 
roll of stencilled Woodcraft designs (made by Eliza- 
beth Remington), and transfer paper, copying inks, 
etc. 

“ Not an item forgotten — even a bottle of alcohol 
for the fuel ! ” cried Miss Miller, too surprised to 
remember to thank Mrs. Baker. 

The girls watched and smiled in sympathy, and 
suddenly, as the Guide remembered she had not ex- 
pressed her gratitude, they all burst out laughing at 
her expense. 

After many apologies and profuse thanks, she 
added : Such a teacher of morals and manners to 

these girls I ” 

As usual, Nita was called upon to dance and the 
Storm Cloud was done so gracefully by her that the 
audience said she should be given an extra dish of 
ice-cream for dessert that night. 

When the forfeits had been paid off it was time 
to cook camp-supper. Before they were ready to sit 
and sup, however, the boys were heard shouting in 
the woods, and Miss Miller said: 


S56 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are 
going to be their guests to-night at the house ? ” 

A merry group sat about the great flat rock that 
evening while Mrs. Baker and the Guide waited 
on the hungry Woodcrafters. The girls told about 
the umbrella and the boys of their mountain 
hike. 

The dishes cleared away, they all marched through 
the woods in the gloaming, and reached the house 
ready for more sport. Many exclamations of surprise 
and admiration came from the girls as they saw the 
way the boys had spent their afternoon. 

Brightly coloured foliage festooned the doors, win- 
dow-casings, and pictures of the large living-room. 
Pumpkins shed subdued light from the candles within 
their grinning faces. Red peppers, golden corn on 
stalks, and tall grasses formed decorations in the 
corners of the room. Black paper witches, bats, and 
yowling cats swung from invisible threads from the 
beams of the ceiling, and many other Hallow E’en 
ideas were carried out. 

Regular Hallow E’en games were played at first, 
then Fred called for the Jack Horner Pie he had spied 
in the kitchen. 

‘‘Well, then, help me carry it in,” laughed Mrs. 
Baker. 

Shortly they were seen carrying in the galvanized 
wash-tub that had been used for the pie-tin. A brown 
pie-crust fitted over the top of it, but no one knew 
what was under the crust. 



AT THE JIALLOWE EN CAMP 


• r* 



BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN 257 


“ How under the sun did you bake it? ” wondered 
Zan. 

“ That’s a culinary secret ! ” laughed Mrs. Baker. 

“ Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally,’’ 
replied Elena, also laughing. 

“ I made the pastry rather moist and rolled it out 
into a great sheet and placed it on the wooden bread- 
board. The oven was very hot and after the sheet 
of dough had been in it a few moments it baked and 
browned enough to spread it over the tub. I pinched 
down the edges to the tin, and there you are! Not 
to be eaten, however, for you will find it too 
pasty.” 

The strings that came up through the pie-crust led 
to objects hidden in the tub of flour. And as each 
player took a string to hold as his prize, every string 
was soon claimed. When the crust was broken and 
the prizes drawn from the flour, the players found 
many funny gifts. Great was the Bedlam when tin 
horns, rattles, and “ crackers ” began sounding every- 
where. 

The young folks then played other games and ended 
with a peanut hunt that led and misled many hunters 
to every corner of the house in search of a hidden 
peanut. 

“ It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie,” said 
Bob, at last. 

“ All right. Son, call them all to the feast,” laughed 
Mrs. Baker. 

As the group of merry-makers sat about the room 


258 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

munching sandwiches, Jane said, Mrs. Baker, tell 
us how you made these delicious fillings. We’ll write 
it down and make some too.” 

I took a can of salmon and chopped it well with 
soft cream cheese. This I did at home and brought 
it here in a glass jar. It is very good on butter-thins, 
as you just said. 

‘‘ The speckled sandwich-fillings are made of cream 
cheese, chopped olives, a bit of pimento, and season- 
ing. Thin slices of dark rye bread are best for this 
filling. 

“Of course, you all know the walnut and fig filling 
— you simply chop nuts with cream cheese for the first 
kind, and chop figs, peanut butter, and a bit of rich 
cream for the second kind.” As Mrs. Baker con- 
cluded, another girl called out : 

“ Tell us how you made this lemonade ! I never 
tasted better.” 

“ I ran the lemon peel through a meat-chopper with 
the lemon pulp. I use about one-quarter peel and the 
pulp of one lemon to the juice of every three lemons. 
If the juice of one orange and a lime is 
added to every ten lemons, it flavours the product 
much better. Sometimes a bit of Maraschino adds a 
peculiar flavour, but we never use it for the chil- 
dren.” 

The party ended with fortune-telling, with apple- 
parings, sailing walnut shells across the tub of water, 
risking noses and teeth at biting on swinging apples, 
and other familiar games. 


BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN ^69 


The next day being Sunday, the boys and girls 
hiked over the mountain-side and Zan pointed out to 
the others the place where the snake frightened the 
girls that Summer, and the road where Nita was 
caught in a thunder-storm. 


CHAPTER THIRTEEN 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 

N ovember ushered itself in with cold and 
penetrating fogs, so that the girls found it 
pleasanter to hold meetings at each other’s houses or 
in the gymnasium, instead of out-of-doors. At the 
indoor meetings they learned the application of Wood- 
craft ideas and principles to meet their needs of every- 
day life. 

Miss Miller had them take up knitting for the 
soldiers and required them to do a certain stint every 
day. They also completed the bead bandings for their 
ceremonial costumes. Nita loaned the Guide the pat- 
tern for a dancing costume and each girl cut out, fitted, 
and made, of cheap cotton crepe bloomers, blouse, and 
skirt for dancing. 

Besides designing belts, banding, and costumes, the 
girls began regular weekly lessons with Elizabeth as 
teacher, in sketching and designing. Elizabeth at- 
tended a New York School of Design and could tell 
the girls whatever she had learned. Many pretty pat- 
terns in cross-stitch and other work were thus made 
and applied to use. 

I’m going to ask Dad to send me to school next 
260 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 261 


Winter, ’’ declared Jane, who enjoyed the work im- 
mensely. 

And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too,” 
added Miss Miller, admiring the dainty work done 
by these girls. 

One afternoon the Guide said : Girls, have any 

of you entered blue prints in your Tally Books? ” 

No one had, so she added : “ Just as soon as Spring 
comes with its first flowers, I want you to start a blue 
print album. I think it is one of the most interesting 
and instructive of pursuits. I have a book that I com- 
pleted during a trip through the Canadian Northwest, 
and I wouldn’t sell those blue prints for any price — 
they are so beautiful and the wild flowers so interest- 
ing. 

The Saturdays during November were spent in New 
York, the Guide taking the girls to the splendid public 
libraries ; lectures illustrated with motion pictures were 
given by white men who had spent many years with 
the Indians; and the unusual series of talks given at 
the Museum on Central Park West and 79th Street 
proved most interesting. Here also the Woodcrafters 
saw life-sized groups of Indians in wax, the individual 
costumes and customs of each Tribe being faithfully 
depicted by the clothes, items of camping outfits, and 
other things. In these exhibitions the girls found 
many suggestions that they could apply to pottery 
work, bead work, and other things pertaining to In- 
dian life. 

One afternoon, while visiting the large library on 


262 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Miss 
Miller said : “ Who knows where the first public 

library was founded — and when?’' 

No one knew, so the Guide told them. 

'' The first on record — there may have been private 
collections then as now, but it was not re- 
corded — was founded at Athens by Hipparchus in 
526 B. C. 

“ The second of note was founded at Alexandria 
by Ptolemy Philadelphus, but it was burnt when Julius 
Caesar set fire to Alexandria in 47 B. C. It is said 
that 400,000 rare and valuable books were destroyed 
in that disaster. 

“ A second library was formed from the remains 
of the books in this first one, and this second was 
reputed to have held over 700,000 volumes, but this 
was captured by the Saracens who used the books for 
fuel instead of working to gather wood. 

In 1446 A. D. the next large library was formed 
and from that time on collections of important books 
were made and offered to the public for free 
use.” 

Such comments by Miss Miller always made the 
visits to public buildings very interesting to the girls, 
who acquired a general knowledge of things worth 
knowing in this manner. 

One Saturday before the weather was too cold, they 
all went to Bedloe’s Island, now renamed Liberty 
Island, in New York Harbour. Here they climbed the 
endless round of narrow iron steps until they regretted 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 263 


having started the ascent. But there was no turning 
back, as the descent was on the other side and no one 
could go down when once started up. 

Having wearily climbed to the crown of the head in 
the Liberty Goddess Statue, they were disappointed 
at not finding the view any better than that seen from 
the balcony where the elevator stopped, but which was 
wonderful from that vantage point. From the Statue 
they walked about the Island and then took the small 
boat back to Battery Park. 

The Aquarium was visited next, and here the girls 
found many odd and interesting fish. One funny fish, 
grey in colour and about fifteen inches in length, kept 
bumping his nose against the glass side as if to come 
through. At each bump he slid back in the water 
and tried again. 

“ * Constant dripping wears the rock away,^ said 
Zan, watching him come back again and again to 
strike the glass. 

He is only playing tag with his nose,” explained 
Jane. 

‘‘ But why should he always keep his mouth open 
half-way, as if he had difficulty in breathing? ” asked 
Nita. 

“ Maybe he has — that constant bumping on his nose 
will cause a swelling and close up the nostrils,” ven- 
tured Elena. 

“ Oh, I have it ! ” cried Zan, nodding her head 
vigourously. The poor thing has asthma from that 
damp atmosphere ! He gasps through his open mouth 


264 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


and tries to break down the screen of glass to get 
more air ! 

This explanation brought a laugh not only from 
the girls who crowded about the glass case, but from 
some observers who also stood watching the queer 
fish. 

Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Remington invited 
Wickeecheokee Band to spend the week-end in camp 
in the woods back of the house. Fred’s Tribe would 
also camp there, and it was thought a good time to 
hold contests between the boys and the girls. 

The girls hailed the treat with many varied ex- 
pressions, but the days immediately preceding the 
Holidays grew so cold that most mothers objected 
to having the girls sleep out in the open. 

“ They can camp in the Council House,” said Mrs. 
Remington over the telephone, when Miss Miller told 
her of the trouble. 

“ Oh, yes, yes ! ” cried everyone at that. 

Beaded Ceremonial Costumes were finished but had 
not yet had an opportunity to be worn, so these -were 
packed in the suit-cases with head-bands, moccasins, 
coup-sticks, and many other fine articles of Indian 
costume. 

Wednesday was a beautiful day but so cold that 
Dr. Baker said he was relieved to know the girls would 
be in the Council House at night. The boys refused 
to be so molly-coddled, they averred, and so they 
camped out in the woods. However, Mrs. Remington 
whispered to the girls the next morning that Fred had 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 265 

made use of two Sibley stoves brought from Maine 
for camp use. 

“ There will be skating on the lake if we have an- 
other day and night of this cold,” said Mr. Reming- 
ton, rubbing his ears to keep up the circulation as he 
stood in front of the Council House early Thursday 
morning. 

“I say, girls! Want your picture took? Get 
into your robes and pose out in the sun, if you 
do I ” shouted Elizabeth, from the porch of the 
house. 

It did not take long for the Woodcrafters to change 
to their Woodcraft costumes and when they ran over 
to the group of pine trees where Elizabeth stood wait- 
ing, they found the boys had decorated the place with 
totems, shields, and cow/?-sticks to create a genuine 
Woodcraft atmosphere. 

Zan’s costume, with its picturisation of the camp 
on the farm, was pronounced the handsomest of all, 
although Elena’s ran a close second. So these two 
girls were selected for individual pictures which could 
be used in the Tally Book of the Tribe. Zan held 
Elizabeth’s coM/>-stick, her own only having a few 
feathers on it, and the former being well-decorated 
by marks of achievement, for Elizabeth was a zealous 
Woodcrafter. 

Thanksgiving dinner was not to be served until four 
that afternoon, and it was only ten when many of 
the campers began to wish it was late afternoon. Mrs. 
Remington was a perfect hostess and, having five 


266 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


healthy children, she suspected the gnawings under 
many belts. Hence her next suggestion : 

“ Fred, why don’t you boys invite the girls to dinner 
at your camp in the woods ? ” 

How ! ” eagerly chorused the girls. 

‘‘Why, so we will, if the girls will bring the grub 
over from the barn. We haven’t enough to go around 
such a crowd.” 

Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Remington added: 
“ If I was a Black Bear, I’d scout for victuals and not 
expect the squaws to bring their own feast ! ” 

Fred understood his mother only too well, and he 
quickly took the hint, calling Fiji to help him. In 
another moment the two had disappeared in the woods 
and were seen no more for some time. The others 
walked slowly back to the Council House to change 
the beaded costumes to camp clothes again. 

About the time the girls were ready to follow the 
hosts to the camp in the woods, Fred and Fiji were 
seen crossing the field, carrying heavy baskets on their 
arms and bags suspended over their shoulders. 

‘‘ They must have scouted. Mother ! ” laughed Mr. 
Remington. 

And ‘‘ mother ” nodded understandingly and laughed 
also. 

At camp the Woodcrafters found Fred and Fiji 
unpacking boiled ham, potatoes, pickles and preserves, 
bread, a pie, and other edibles. In the bag that had 
been slung over Fiji’s back was a stone crock filled 
with delicious cookies still warm. 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT ^67 

There girls, the cookies will hold you together 
while we roast potatoes and get the lunch ready,” said 
Fred. 

“ Um-m ! I want this recipe from someone to put 
in our book. These are the best cookies I ever tasted,” 
said Elena. 

“ Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena. 
It happens to be my own that Mrs. Remington tried,” 
laughed Miss Miller. 

Tell us, then, while I write it down,” urged Elena, 
with a pencil and scrap of paper ready for use. 

To one-half cup of butter I use one-half cup of 
lard and one-half cup of sugar. Two eggs, one level 
tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and soda, with 
enough flour to roll out the dough easily. 

“ Cream the butter and lard together first, then add 
the sugar gradually. When the eggs are wxll beaten 
I add them. The spices and soda are mixed with two 
cups of flour and sifted into the batter. I use enough 
flour so the dough will roll out well. Cut them with 
a biscuit cutter and bake in a quick oven. Last of all, 
lock safely away in a secret vault where children can- 
not follow the scent and eat them up before the cook 
has washed the tins that the cookies were baked 
in.” 

The girls laughed at the last part of the recipe and 
Fred said it was the most important if cookies were 
to be kept on hand. 

After the stolen provender was thoroughly enjoyed 
by the hosts and guests in camp, the boys entertained 


268 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

the girls with relay races, Deer Hunts, Bat Ball, and 
a Bear Spearing Contest. 

Just as the bear was killed by Fred, the gong 
sounded from the house calling the people to the 
Thanksgiving Dinner — the greatest contest of the day, 
Billy said. 

The wide rear verandah of the Remington house 
was inclosed in glass in the Winter, and being ten 
feet wide and extending across the entire back of the 
house, it afforded an excellent place for the dinner. 
The table, made of four fifteen-inch-wide planks 
eighteen feet in length, placed on wooden horses, was 
covered with two long table-cloths. Benches made of 
wide planks also resting on boxes provided enough 
seats for all. 

Mose, the family fixture who plays so important a 
role in the “ Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island ” (the 
island being the Remingtons’ Summer resort off the 
coast of Maine), bossed the serving of the dinner. 
He had been given charge of Mary, the upstairs girl, 
and Katy the kitchen maid, and these, with Anna 
the governess, proved efficient to wait on the hungry 
horde of children. 

Strange, however, that after that dinner not one 
of the Woodcrafters felt like dancing an Indian War 
Dance to entertain others! 

During the night the temperature grew warmer and 
the sky clouded over with snow-clouds. Early Friday 
morning a very light snow began falling, but grew 
heavier until noon, when great gusts of snow were 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT S69 


swept across the valley at every fresh hurricane of 
wind. All day Friday and most of Friday night, the 
snow continued falling, but the Woodcrafters cared 
little about that when they were having such a jolly 
time indoors. They were entertaining the Black Bears 
in the Council House, and many a wild shout echoed 
up through the loft, as a Bear caught a Wako Triber 
in a war-dance. 

Before ten o^clock the boys were summoned to go 
to camp, and much against their inclinations to leave 
the cosy fire in the chimney-place of the Council 
House, they started out in the driving snow 
to plough over the field to their cold and cheerless 
camp. 

In the early morning, however, the sun sparkled on 
the glistening snow and the Woodcraft girls were 
awakened by a fusillade of snow-balls striking the 
side of the barn, some of the soft snow falling through 
the opened windows and scattering over the faces of 
the sleepy girls. 

They were soon up and dressed and out-doors to 
return the cold welcome given by the Black Bears. 
The snow-balls flew back and forth rapidly, until Fred 
had an idea. 

I say ! What’s the matter with having a regular 
fight ! Build a fort and choose up sides ? ” 

“ Down on the flats by the road-side ! ” added Billy, 
pointing to the low-land that fronted the lawns by the 
private road. 

Just the thing! ” exclaimed Fiji. 


no THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“Will you girls help?^’ asked Jack Hubert. 

The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she, 
seeing the gleam of battle shining from those many 
eyes, laughed. 

“No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!’’ 
warned the Guide, trying to be severe. 

“ Of course not! ” agreed Bobby Baker. 

“ And no hard-packed snow, either. Just the soft 
feathery kind that gets down your back and blinds 
your eyes,” added Miss Miller, knowing well how to 
disguise her advice and make it sound enticing to 
the boys. 

It took full two hours to complete the great fort 
and build refuges like pockets in the snow-wall, where 
daring scouts venturing away from the army could 
find temporary protection. While the boys were build- 
ing the fort the girls rolled great piles of snow am- 
munition for both sides to use when the battle should 
rage. 

Then came the commandeering of the two sides. 
Fred gallantly offered his services to Wako Tribe, 
while Fiji Baker undertook to command the boys’ side. 
As there were but eleven girls and seventeen boys, 
some of the surplus male contingent had to come over 
to join the girls’ side. 

Then began preliminary tactics, followed by an en- 
gagement of the main armies. This was followed by 
the most active fighters running back and forth to 
plant a well-aimed shot whenever they discovered an 
unprotected head or body for a target. 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 271 

The battle waged for more than an hour, first one 
side winning a victory, then the other side, but at 
last Fiji’s side showed signs of defeat, and soon was 
retreating at full speed. The shots fell so fast and 
furious at that, that the boys were almost routed when 
Fiji made a grand rally. 

To have it said that a lot of girls were victorious 
over the Black Bears or Grey Foxes was not to be 
thought of, so the General spurred his fighters back 
again to try and win the lost trench, but Fred was 
a fine general, too, and he was quick to take advantage 
of the other’s mistake in leaving the protection of the 
fort. 

In less than half an hour’s time after Fiji rallied 
his men, the fort was demolished, most of Fiji’s men 
were prisoners, and the girls were triumphant! The 
captives then had to submit to having their faces well 
washed in the soft cold snow. 

That was a glorious day and one to be remembered, 
for not only were merry faces as red as Baldwin apples 
and hands swollen and purple from handling much 
snow, but the Remington larder suifered from such 
secret raids that the cook finally stumped up to the 
library to ‘‘ give notice.” 

Mose intercepted her, however, and tried to pacify 
her with the news that the visitors would soon go 
home, and ‘‘ anyway, Thanksgivin’ onny comes once 
a year, .Maria ! ” 

Agh ! G’wan ! Don’t Oi know this f am’ly ? It’s 
foriver havin’ comp’ny an’ eatin’ me out av iverything 


THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Oi cook! It’s cook, cook, COOK aul the toime an’ 
niver a crumb to eat I ” declared Maria. 

“ But just think, Maria, how soon this thing will 
have to stop. The high cost of livin’ and the laws 
made by the President won’t let us eat much anny 
more, an’ you’ll have an easy time, then,” said Mose, 
trying to placate the angry cook. 

‘‘ An’ it’s good wages an’ plenty of my friends to 
visit me to tay,” said Maria, thoughtfully, so Mose 
knew he had won a different kind of battle than the 
one fought on the Flats with snow. 

After a red-hot luncheon that partly thawed out 
the half-frozen warriors, Mrs. Remington asked if 
they would like to take a sleigh-ride in a great farmer’s 
sleigh that afternoon. The man called twice a week 
to deliver eggs, butter, and chickens from his farm 
some miles in the country, and would be glad to have 
the extra fee offered for driving a party of young 
folks on a joy-ride. 

That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone 
felt weary and ready for bed the moment it could 
reasonably be suggested. 

The rest of the visit was devoted to indoor pastimes, 
as a thaw set in and made the ground too wet and 
muddy for any games or fun on the lawn. 

Then came the time for good-byes and the Wood- 
crafters were carried away, leaving a sense of loneli- 
ness with the family where they had had such a good 
time. 

December came in with much wind and snow so 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 273 

that all hope of week-end camps was at low ebb. But 
the girls found plenty of work to do and the applicants 
for the second Band were ready to qualify, and atten- 
tion had to be paid to this important matter. 

Most of the girls applying for membership were 
so anxious to belong to Wako Tribe that it seemed 
hard to deny any one of them. But the rules in the 
Manual were to be followed and some had to be left 
out. Hence the choosing of the crowd of girls that 
had asked for admission was to be done by drawing 
lots. 

The names of the girls were written on slips of 
paper and these were folded up into small cubes, then 
shaken well in a covered tin. The Guide drew forth 
the first ten papers and these were the ones drawn 
to form the second Band — Suwanee, it was called. 

The ten girls selected were delighted, but the others 
half cried with bitter disappointment, so that the Guide 
agreed to ask Mrs. Baker to start a new Band for them 
which would eventually grow into a Tribe of its own. 
And this promise soothed the wounded hearts of the 
unfortunate ones. 

Although the improvement in Eleanor Wilbur had 
been so slow that none of her daily associates had 
noticed it, still it was constantly going on, so that when 
Ethel Clifford returned from the Californian trip she 
exclaimed at the great change in the girl. 

“ Why, Miss Miller, it doesn’t seem possible ! 
Really, can’t you see the improvement ? ” said the girl. 

Now that you mention some small things, I can 


THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


see where she has been helped, but I almost gave up 
in despair several times, and Fd rather you would not 
let her hear of this conversation as she is not ‘ out 
of the woods ' yet, by any means,^' said Miss Miller. 

Nevertheless, it was as Ethel had said: there was 
a change for the higher and better life that was making 
an impression in Eleanor’s character and desires, and 
these in time would overcome her former weaknesses. 

That Winter, needle-craft was taken up and many 
practical as well as beautiful things were made by the 
girls. The Christmas-tide gave each one plenty to do, 
as they planned to make all their gifts this year with 
as little cost in money as possible. And these gifts 
were all beautiful and artistic, as well as sensible and 
useful articles. 

Not a mother or father of these girls but felt proud 
to show the gifts made by their daughters that Christ- 
mas, and many a parent thanked Miss Miller for the 
patience and time she had devoted to the Woodcrafters 
to bring them to this point in their education and im- 
provement of character. 

In January the Guide suggested that an entirely 
new departure be taken up before Spring. 

“ I didn’t think there was anything more on earth 
that we could learn,” said May, laughing. 

‘‘ Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness, 
maybe we will start on something worth while,” said 
Eleanor. 

‘‘ Just what I have in mind, Eleanor. I shall have 
you all start practical and cumbersome work this 


INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT 275 


time,” smiled Miss Miller, but to the eager questions 
of the girls, she maintained Strict silence, merely 
saying : 

‘‘ ‘ Sufficient unto the day * — then you’ll see what 
I have in mind for you.” 


CHAPTER FOURTEEN 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 

‘^y^IRLS, how many are willing to start making 
a tent ? ” said the Guide, at the next meeting 
in the gymnasium. 

‘‘ A tent ! Good gracious ! exclaimed Zan, while 
the other girls echoed their Chief’s amazement, 

“ Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how,” 
laughed Miss Miller. 

It sounds like a stupendous work, but I suppose 
Miss Miller will explain it so that a child like Teddy 
Remington can sit down and make one every day,” 
laughed Jane. 

‘‘ If you will try I will order the material to-day 
and show you how to begin the work,” urged the 
Guide. 

All right, go ahead ! I’m willing to sew my fingers 
to the bone if you say so,” sighed Zan, who detested 
sewing. 

The other girls laughed and Miss Miller immediately 
took up the telephone receiver and called up a depart- 
ment store. Her conversation showed that she had 
already priced materials and had all information at 
hand to start the tents without delay. 

“ Now, then, the stuff will be here Monday morn- 
276 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 


m 


ing and we can start any time you like. We will allow 
fifteen yards of stuff for each tent. Four of you can 
work on one, for the completed tent will accommodate 
four cots. There being enough girls to work on five 
tents, I have ordered the material for five.” 

Once launched on this unusual task, the girls felt 
a certain pride in saying, “We are making our own 
tents for camp, you know,” and when they heard the 
large bundle of canvas had arrived they were eager 
to work. 

“ First I will cut two strips of the goods, each strip 
being thirteen feet long. Then lap the selvage of 
one side over the other, about a quarter of an inch, 
and sew it down firmly with back-stitching. If we 
had a machine it would be better still. There must 
be a double row of stitching in case one row breaks 
in a strain or sudden yank. 

“ Now we will spread the whole piece out flat on 
the floor and fold over each end crosswise of the long 
strip toward the centre, and about two feet three 
inches from each end. 

“ These seams must be stitched or double-seamed 
on the folds all the way down each fold, about three 
or four inches in from the outer edge of the fold. 
As this will be the place where the tent-ropes are 
fastened, you can stitch it over and over four or five 
times, for it will have considerable strain come on it. 

“ The two unfinished ends of the strips will then 
have a narrow hem which will complete the roof and 
sides of the tent. 


278 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ Cut the rest of the cloth into two strips about two 
feet and seven inches long for the front and back 
ends of the tent. Each of these is to be cut into two 
pieces with a slanting cut running from a side two 
feet one inch at one end to a point two feet one inch 
on the other side. 

“ The sharp pointed corners are cut off by folding 
over the cloth three inches from the edge and by cut- 
ting the first slanting edge. You can save these pieces 
to use for patches when you reinforce the roof at the 
ends of the ridge-pole. 

Now lay the two pieces together and lap so the 
points at the top are in the same position. Stitch down 
one selvage for a length of two feet and then straight 
across to the other selvage, and up to the top again. 

“ The section left loose is for a door-flap and tapes 
are to be sewed at places a foot from the bottom and 
also two feet up from the bottom. Hem each end of 
bottom and then sew the edges of the sides and slant- 
ing top to the sides and roof of the tent-body. 

“For the ropes, you have to cut holes about half 
an inch in diameter right through the folds you stitched 
down on each side of the roof section. These holes 
can be bound or button-holed with a string, or those 
who prefer can use metal eyelets. 

“You will need about eight feet of tent-rope for 
each pole, and a loop of rope should be sewed at the 
bottom of the tent below each hole to hold down the 
sides. 

“When the tent is completed it should be raised 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK ^79 

between two straight tree trunks about five or six feet 
high, or two poles about the same height. A pole 
about six feet long will answer for the ridge-pole. 
When these are up, drive some pegs slant-ways into 
the ground about three feet away from each side of 
the tent, to fasten the ropes to, and then drive more 
pegs slant- ways for the loops of rope to slip over 
and hold firm. 

“ Now you will have a neat little tent ready for 
camping, but two important things still remain to be 
done — can anyone tell me what they are? asked Miss 
Miller, as she concluded reading the directions she had 
written down on a paper. 

The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one 
seemed to grasp the need of anything else. Finally 
the Guide said: 

‘‘What would happen in case of a heavy rain- 
storm?” 

“ Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for 
rain ! ” cried Zan, suddenly realising this important 
factor in camping. 

“ Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from 
the damp ground ! ” added Jane. 

“ I had in mind the gutter for rainwater, but the 
floor is an important detail, too. I have a second item 
that is as important as either of the others, though,” 
continued Miss Miller. 

“ Miss Miller,” now said Elizabeth Remington, who 
was visiting the Tribe that afternoon, “If you select 
a spot high and dry on top of a knoll or hill where the 


^80 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


sides carry water down away from your tent, you will 
not need to trench the circle to draw off rain from the 
ground where your tent stands. It is a natural water- 
shed.’* 

‘‘ Ah, I see Elizabeth is a more experienced camper 
than I am, and I admit that she is better informed 
than I in this case,” said the Guide, bowing. 

‘‘ Another good plan. Miss Miller, is to select a 
place where the sun can shine in in the morning and dry 
out dampness from the cots and inside of the tent. 
In case you can’t find a place with a natural water- 
shed in the ground, then a trench must be dug about 
a foot wide and nine inches deep, according to the 
size of your tent. I am figuring on this size tent. 
This trench should be led away from the doorway just 
as a leader on a roof carries the water from the build- 
ing. Also dig a canal for some distance away from 
the tent to keep the water from backing up when there 
are sudden heavy showers. Otherwise, your place will 
be flooded from the over-flow of the trench.” 

“Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth,” said the 
Guide. 

“Well, mother has experimented and found that 
in tents made of such thin stuff as you have here, or 
with duck or ticking, it is advisable to water-proof it 
before using in camp.” 

“ That was the second point I wanted the girls to 
find out and add to the rules,” said Miss Miller, 
glad to hear the visitor was so well-versed in this 
work. 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 281 

Oh, have Betsy tell us how to do it ! ” cried sev- 
eral girls. 

“ I have heard but forgotten. Now I’ll get mother 
to write down the rules and bring it to you another 
time,” said Elizabeth, sorry she could not oblige the 
Woodcrafters. 

“ And if anyone here wishes to know the secret 
before our next meeting, let her read Edward Stewart 
White’s ‘ Forest,’ or Seton’s ‘ Woodcraft Book,’ or 
the ‘ Boy Scout Manual,’ ” added the Guide. 

“ They also explain how to make tepees, Miss 
Miller,” said Elizabeth. 

'' Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent, 
but this style tent is much roomier and so serviceable.” 

That meeting adjourned very promptly as the girls 
were not as eager to remain late sewing on heavy 
material as they were when there was dancing or 
singing. 

But the tents were completed in time, and very proud 
the Woodcrafters felt of the great achievement. 

During January, Miss Miller took them to many 
out-of-town points of interest. Almost every Satur- 
day was spent somewhere where the girls learned 
many new historical facts, or were able to place inci- 
dents heard of in connection with the place visited. 

Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage and 
the old Revolutionary Mansions left in certain local- 
ities of New York. 

They took the Hudson Tube to Fulton Street, 
thence the Broadway subway to 207th Street. Here 


282 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

they took a cross-town car to Fordham Road and 
walked north along the Concourse to Poe Park. The 
cottage where Poe lived and wrote many of his famous 
poems is standing here, and directly opposite the cot- 
tage is a bust of Poe, erected on the centenary of 
his birth, January 19th, 1909. 

Another trip that cost very little and was most in- 
teresting was a visit to Governor's Island. The boat 
left the Battery, and on the Island they visited the 
Military Museum, the Military Prison, the Abandoned 
Fort, and the Aviation Station. An aeroplane rose 
and practised even while the Tribe watched it from 
the Field. 

Another Saturday, the Guide started them early in 
the morning and they visited Sing Sing, watching the 
men at work at their trades and seeing the wonderful 
law and discipline maintained there. On the way back 
from Ossining, they trolleyed to Dobbs' Ferry and 
visited the old Washington Headquarters there. It 
has been purchased and restored to its original inter- 
esting state by a loyal American Patriot, who dis- 
covered in time that a brewery was negotiating to 
purchase the estate and turn it into a road-house. 
Thanks to the generous Patriot, such a desecration 
was spared the Nation! 

One of the outings included visits to historical 
places in Brooklyn, and the girls were surprised to 
find many relics of the Revolutionary period still in 
good order in various sections of this city. 

Beginning with February, Mrs, Remington ex- 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 283 

pressed a wish to visit a Council at the Gymnasium 
and suggest some work to the girls. They immediately 
replied with an enthusiastic invitation for her to visit 
them Friday evening. 

After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Reming- 
ton addressed the Tribe. 

“ Now that you girls have your two Bands in good 
standing and have a Charter from the League 
authorising you to be established as Wako Tribe, 
your next step should be to organise a Little 
Lodge. 

It behooves a first-class Tribe in good standing 
to start and supervise a Little Lodge as soon as is 
reasonable. These little ones can range in age from 
three to twelve, and are called ' Brownies.' They 
usually are the sisters and brothers or friends of the 
Big Lodge members. Thus the little children are early 
taught to be good citizens — as Woodcraft teaches 
everyone that. 

With the affectionate help from older girls, and 
the association with and experience from Big Lodges, 
these Brownies soon acquire an aptness for the things 
taught their elders. My own little ones, Billy, Edith, 
and Teddy, have acquired all they know to-day from 
watching us at home, or mimicking the Woodcraft 
things they see accomplished by my Tribe, or the 
Black Bears. 

“ I have been thinking that my three children, who 
are not yet twelve, can join your Little Lodge and be 
of great help to you in successfully founding a Brownie 


284 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


Band of your Tribe. I asked them what they thought 
of it, and they are delighted with the prospect.” 

The Woodcraft girls heartily applauded this idea 
and Miss Miller thought it a splendid suggestion. She 
saw the great possibilities it would offer the girls to 
train themselves in patience, sacrifice, and many other 
qualities that make for good womanhood. 

In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered : 

Nothing like the responsibility of children to bring 
out dormant strength of character in a girl ! ” 

Exactly ! That is why this plan was adopted for 
Big Lodge Girls.” 

We have been discussing this novel plan and we 
all wish to ask some questions,” now announced the 
Chief. 

“ The meeting is open for questions,” said the Guide. 

“Can my brother Paul join? ” asked Hilda. 

“ Sure — we’ll soon teach him to quit his peevish 
ways,” replied Zan, frank but thoughtless in her 
answer. 

Hilda instantly closed her lips tight and looked 
highly insulted. “ The idea of Zan Baker speaking 
like that of our little Paul! ” said she to Nita. 

“ * Little Paul ’ is almost as old as Billy Remington, 
but see the awful difference,” retorted Nita, for she 
disliked the selfish, whining boy as heartily as Zan 
did. 

Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends. 
Then Jane Hubert said: 

“ Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join I 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 


285 


Goodness knows she needs this training almost as 
much as Paul does.” 

Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed 
Hilda's offended manner, but Miss Miller quickly 
added : 

‘'With the three little Remingtons, that will make 
five. We are progressing splendidly, girls.” 

“ And I believe I can interest my sister in this Lodge 
so that Betty and Tammy Fullerton will be allowed 
to join the Band,” ventured Mrs. Remington. 

“ How old are they?” eagerly asked the girls. 

“ Tammy is only a little past three years, and Betty 
is about seven. Our Teddy is four. Dot Hubert is 
eight, Edith is nine, Paul is almost eleven, and Billy 
past eleven, so you see you have a fine range of ages to 
experiment with.” 

“ Oh, Fm crazy to see them all together and try 
to have them to do some Woodcraft stunts!” cried 
Zan, clasping her hands in delight. 

“ Let’s hope your enthusiasm keeps up I ” grumbled 
Eleanor, who had not favoured the new departure 
very much. 

The next week the Brownies all attended the weekly 
meeting and the ceremony of enrolling them as a Little 
Lodge took place. But as this is all told in detail in 
the story called “ Little Woodcrafters’ Book,” in which 
the cares and troubles of the self-appointed Woodcraft 
mothers fill more than 350 pages and are illustrated 
by numerous pictures, we will omit repeating it in this 
volume. 


286 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion 
of seven active little bundles of mischief into becoming 
normal, ambitious, coup-w\rmmg Woodcrafters, the 
time flew by as if on wings. Every spare moment 
found from regular studies and Woodcraft work was 
filled in by attending to a Brownie need. 

Thus February, March, and April came and passed 
like a mist before the rising sun, and the month of 
May was ushered in and found the five original girls 
of Wako Tribe so completely absorbed with the prog- 
ress the Brownies were making that the other members 
were ignored and left to work as best they could with 
the help they could find in the Manual or from Miss 
Miller. 

The Guide saw the unexpected schism created in 
the ranks of the Tribe, but she had to use utmost 
wisdom in handling this peculiar situation — all interest 
shown the Little Lodge by the five girls, and a lack 
of concern about the new members of their own Big 
Lodge. 

The problem was mentioned to Mrs. Remington and 
that lady suggested a visit to Council House where 
Wako Tribe could hold a Grand Council and exhibit 
work accomplished during the Winter. This was 
planned to draw the factions together again by 
a mutual pride and interest in their Tribe activi- 
ties. 

Besides the friends of the members of Wako Tribe, 
there would be the Black Bears (Fred’s Tribe), Eliza- 
beth’s Tribe, some guests from Headquarters in New 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 287 

York, and a few neighbours of Mrs. .Remington’s who 
were deeply interested in Woodcraft work. 

The girls of Wako Tribe were delighted to hold a 
Spring Council at this place and everyone worked with 
a will to make the event a memorable occasion. The 
Guide heaved a deep sigh, for she saw them all united 
again and seeking the advancement of the Tribe as 
a unit. But she sighed too sgon. 

An elaborate programme was evolved and the vis- 
itors were impressed by the exhibits of Woodcraft 
work of every kind made and displayed by the mem- 
bers of the Tribe. 

As one entered the Council House a long table was 
the first attraction. Tomtoms, simple or elaborate 
according to experience and ability of the makers, 
beautiful sets of bows and arrows that would carry 
loo yards or 150 yards and win coups or grand coups, 
respectively; fire-sets of rubbing sticks and their 
leather bags, decorated as the individual preferred; 
birch-bark articles made from the Alpine harvest of 
the preceding Fall; many kinds of knots tied in rope 
and tagged as mentioned in the Manual; individual 
Tally Books showing what each girl had accomplished 
since joining the Tribe; and last but not least on this 
table was an enlarged photograph of the little cabin 
built on Wickeecheokee Bluff by the five girls during 
the Summer of their first camp. 

Back of the first long table of exhibits, the wall 
was covered with grass mats, willow beds, decorated 
blankets, totems, shields, carefully mounted and 


288 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


framed collections of moths, butterflies, insects of 
various kinds, leaves, flowers, forestry, etc. These 
made an impressive showing, and many had coups or 
grand coups attached. 

Next to the long table stood the book-shelves, 
tabourets, benches, stools, bird-houses, and other deco- 
rative or useful articles in carpentry. 

A second long table exhibited the pottery work, 
bowls, fire-urns, candle-sticks, weaving, bead-work, 
looms, Indian Sun-dial; work in brass, silver, copper, 
and other metals, the designs made, hammered, and 
etched by the girls themselves. 

Then an old-fashioned bookcase with glass doors 
had been brought from the house-attic and the shelves 
of this large cabinet were filled with jars of canned 
fruit, preserves, pickles, dried and canned vegetables, 
dried or salted meats, cakes, bread, and other house- 
keeper’s craft learned and practised by the members 
of Wako Tribe. 

On the floor beside the cabinet were hand-made rush 
brooms, willow-ware of all kinds, Indian tools for 
gardening, and the tents made at such expense of 
labour and patience during January. 

There were exhibits of coups and degrees and hon- 
ours for swimming, star-gazing, farming, archery, 
nursing, needle-craft, marketing, singing, dancing, In- 
dian Lore, hostess, cooking, fishing, gardening, car- 
pentry, camper-craft, bird sharp, art crafts, and minor 
works so arranged that the lists seemed endless. In 
fact, the Big Chief from Headquarters said he had 



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WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 


289 


never witnessed so many achievements accomplished 
by one Tribe in so short a time, and he added that it 
spoke well for the zeal and application of the members. 

The entertainment now began with the usual cere- 
monies of Grand Council, followed by reports and 
other business. Then the girls performed the Green 
Corn Dance, which is especially a Spring Dance. After 
the Big Lodge finished this graceful dance, the 
Brownies of the Little Lodge acted Nana-bo-jou with 
great vim and energy. 

Immediately following this dance, the Chief said: 
‘‘ One of our Brownies wishes to win a coup for story- 
telling, so I will introduce Edith Remington to the 
audience. She will tell you what happened to her last 
Winter.” 

Edith was acquainted with most of the visitors 
present, so she felt no self-consciousness in addressing 
them. In fact, bashfulness and over-sensitiveness are 
two of the undesirable failings eliminated by Wood- 
craft, so that a child can do what is expected of it 
without the agony brought out by self-consciousness. 

“ It was a very cold day — so cold that the ground 
was frozen hard — but no snow had fallen yet. I 
wanted to call Billy ’cause we were invited to spend 
the day with my little cousins, so I ran out of the 
front door to find him in the woods at the foot of 
the lawn. 

“ Just as I hurried under a big oak tree that stands 
by the drive, I heard a queer scratching noise, and 
some loose pebbles flew in front of me. 


290 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


I looked over at the foot of the tree-trunk and 
there was a little squirrel trying to dig up the hard 
frozen ground. I s’pose he had some nuts buried there 
and wanted to get them out for his dinner. As I 
stood watching him for a few minutes, my hands grew 
cold, so I pulled the mittens out of my coat pocket. 

‘‘ Out flew a peanut with one of the mittens and no 
sooner did it roll on the ground than Mr. Squirrel 
hopped over and had it. He jumped back to the tree 
and sat upon his haunches cracking and eating the nut. 

‘‘ He must have been awful hungry, ’cause he hur- 
ried back to me the minute he finished the peanut, and 
jumped upon my arm, looking in my pocket for more. 

I waited, as still as a mouse, so he wouldn’t get 
’fraid, then he looked up in my face as much as to say : 
' Haven’t you any more ? ’ 

“ I laughed at that, and he jumped away and sat 
a few yards off watching me. Then I had an idea. 
I ran in and asked Mose for some nuts, telling him 
about the squirrel. He gave me a handful from the 
pantry and I ran back to feed the little fellow. 

** He came right up and took them from my hands 
and when he had carted most of them over to the foot 
of the tree and eaten some, he carried one at a time 
to a bough and sat eating it. When that was gone 
he ran down and carried another nut up and ate it. 

“ I told Billy about it and he said he guessed we 
could tame that squirrel if we fed it every day. So 
we gave it things to eat all Winter and now it is as 
tame as can be.” 


WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK 


291 


When Edith concluded her story the audience ap- 
plauded and Big Chief declared she must have the 
coup, for the story was well told. 

Edith was so delighted at hearing this praise from 
the Chief at Headquarters that she could not be re- 
strained that day — she ran about showing everyone 
the coup presented her. 

The Council ended with the Sunset Song, and the 
meeting was pronounced to be one of the best Wako 
Tribe ever held. Miss Miller felt confident that the 
plan had united all the girls again and now they would 
work together as before, for the progress and advance- 
ment of the entire Tribe. 


CHAPTER FIFTEEN 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 



HE weather grew warmer with the advancing 


Spring and out-door life became a joy to the 
Woodcrafterl The Little Lodge proved to be so 
entertaining to the five girls that they felt a jealousy 
of any other member of Wako Tribe should she inad- 
vertently mention a personal interest in the welfare 
of the Brownies. 

Miss Miller saw the breach widening again and was 
torn ’twixt her desire to keep unity and the struggle 
to do her duty to both factions. This was the state 
of affairs when the Chief suggested a one-day’s camp 
to try out the Little Lodge in the woods. 

Did you hear what Zan Baker’s gone and done ? ” 
exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, as soon as she heard about 
the proposed camp that Saturday. 

‘‘No — what?” demanded some of the girls who 
were working in the gymnasium while waiting for 
Miss Miller. The five other girls seldom met at school 
now, as the Brownies met them at their own homes, 
thus enabling them to hold aloof from the other 
members. 

“ She’s planned a camp and left us out in the cold ! ” 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


293 


** Who told you so? ” asked some of the loyal girls. 

“ Oh, I heard it, all right. If you don’t believe me 
you can ask the Guide when she comes in. Maybe she 
won’t tell the truth, though, ’cause she is as thick with 
them as can be, and she is going with them, I s’pose ! ” 
Well, I can hardly blame Zan and her chums for 
spending so much time with the Brownies — they are 
awfully cute, you know ! ” responded May Randall. 

'' Besides, the work we have done according to the 
Manual shows that we can go on just the same, whether 
the other five girls sit down and wait for us to catch 
up or not,” said Anne. 

“ It might be better for all concerned if they fuss 
over the Brownies while we do the things they all did 
last year, and then we can all go on together with 
Woodcraft,” added Frances. 

“ I might have known you three girls would toady 
to Zan Baker and Jane Hubert. Just because they run 
the show and boss us all, doesn’t say they have the 
right to do it. But you are afraid of them, that’s why 
you give in every time ! ” sneered Eleanor. 

“ At least you will admit that we don’t waste our 
time going about telling tales on others and trying 
to make trouble for everyone ! ” scorned Anne Mason, 
just as the Guide entered. 

Her appearance instantly changed Eleanor’s atti- 
tude and she approached Miss Miller with an in- 
gratiating smile. The girls saw and most of them 
sniffed, some even went so far as to murmur aloud: 
“Cat! I wish she was out of this Tribe!” 


294. THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


The Guide felt that the atmosphere was charged 
but she hoped to find out the conditions without ques- 
tioning, so she started the meeting, explaining the 
absence of the Chief and four girls by saying : 

“ They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts 
for Betty’s birthday party. The little ones are going 
to the woods to celebrate.” 

That same evening. Miss Miller spoke to Zan about 
having the other members of the Tribe at the Wood- 
land Camp. 

“ Oh pshaw, Miss Miller ! We can’t bother with 
a crowd of big girls when we are just on the point of 
trying out this camp-experiment with the Brownies. 
Those girls have enough to do with their work, and 
we can go on with the Little Lodge until later.” 

“ Have you decided on a place for the picnic ? ” 
asked the Guide, changing the subject. 

“We thought Eagle’s Crest as good as any for just 
one day,” replied Zan, relieved that the other dis- 
agreeable topic was dropped. 

“ Yes, it is near enough to reach it in an hour’s time 
by autos, and there will be plenty of birds and flowers 
and trees to open a mine of Woodcraft for the 
Brownies.” 

“ Then it is settled — we will go to Eagle’s Crest. 
And I will say that some time, when we go to a longer 
camp-trip, we will ask the new members,” said Zan, 
apologetically, for she knew the girls of Suwanee Band 
and her own new members were not receiving the true 
hospitality demanded of genuine Woodcrafters. 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


^95 


From this conversation, Miss Miller gathered that 
the five older members were determined to have their 
own way with the Little Lodge, and she planned now 
to avert disaster to the Tribe and yet keep them all 
the best of friends. 

Hence the first out-door camp for a day with the 
Brownies was not announced as a Tribe activity, but 
it was kept as quiet as possible, declaring it was Betty 
Fullerton’s birthday party and not a Tribe affair at 
all. Of course the five old members felt this was 
downright prevarication, but it seemed the easiest way 
to rid themselves of unpleasant explanations to the 
other girls. 

To carry out the plan of celebrating Betty’s birth- 
day the last of May, the girls began making gifts to 
exchange with the Little Lodge members. The 
Brownies, too, eagerly worked on simple little presents 
made of paper, paint, and raffia work. 

Of course Miss Miller was included in the picnic 
and she went to keep an alert eye on the conduct and 
conversation of the older girls as well as watch over 
the younger children. 

From a picnicker’s point of view, the outing was 
a great success and proved an incentive for a longer 
camp next time. 

On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked 
the other girls when and where they should have the 
next camp. 

‘‘ We can revisit Staten Island,” suggested Elena. 

“ I’d rather camp nearer a house or store where 


296 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


we could telephone if we need to,’^ added 
Jane. 

“ I met a lady this winter who has a house on the 
Palisades much nearer Fort Lee Ferry than our Alpine 
Camp was last Fall. She has heard of your Tribe 
and seemed eager to meet you. I might write and 
see if she knows of a spot near there,’' said Miss 
Miller. 

Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm 
Friday.” 

“ I might add that if the weather is fine we might 
make a regular Tribe camp of it and all camp over 
the week-end,” added Miss Miller. 

The frowns and scowls that instantly showed on 
the faces of the five girls plainly told the Guide that 
the time was not yet at hand for the solving of the 
unpleasant problem. 

At the first stop, which was Miss Miller’s home, 
Zan said : Don’t forget that letter, Miss 

Miller.” 

“ I won’t, but I must say that you girls ought to pay 
more attention to individual Woodcraft interests and 
not so much to your delight in playing with the 
Brownies. It is downright selfish of you.” 

Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them 
wondering at her displeased tone of voice. 

“What did you do, Zan Baker?” cried Jane, 
amazed. 

“ I — I never did a thing to her ! ” said Zan half- 
crying with mortification. 


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SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


297 


'' If Miss Miller is mad at us for anything I am 
going to ask her pardon ’cause I’d rather keep in with 
her than all the Woodcraft in the world!” declared 
Nita. 

Which all goes to show that the five girls did not 
stop to consider how deeply the Guide felt over the 
careless manner in which they treated the new members 
of the Tribe. Possibly, had they realised the truth 
they would have swung over to the opposite extreme 
and dropped the Brownies to make up to the other 
girls to please the Guide. 

But Miss Miller finally decided to take Mrs. Rem- 
ington into a secret plan she had devised. After the 
letter was written to her friend on the Palisades, she 
called Mrs. Remington up on the telephone and they 
talked some time. When the conversation ended the 
plot was laid. 

The week-end camp on the Hudson River Cliffs 
proved to be very entertaining, as the friend mentioned 
had provided the tents and camp-kits, and the girls 
only had to provide food and fun. 

The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds, 
trees and other coups for Brownies, and on Sunday, 
the blue prints were made and admired. Not only did 
the children make simple prints but the five older 
Woodcrafters made several exquisite ones for their 
Tally Books. 

The evening before the Band broke camp, they were 
all seated about the embers of the camp-fire when the 
Guide addressed then/ 


298 THE WOODCRAET GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“You girls will not have much time to give the 
Little Lodge after this week — you have to study for 
Exams, you know.” 

“ Dear sakes, that’s so 1 I tried to forget it,” sighed 
Elena. 

“ This is the last of May and preliminary examina- 
tions start the first week of June this year,” the Guide 
reminded. 

“ I have to work up some of those last Fall studies, 
too,” murmured Hilda. 

“ Have you thought of any plan for the Brownies 
while you are occupied with lessons? I shall not be 
able to meet with you again or waste any time on 
Woodcraft from now on till school closes,” ventured 
Miss Miller. 

“You won’t! Goodness what will we do?” asked 
Zan. 

“ Why, do what I will do — study like mad 1 ” re- 
torted Jane. 

“ That’s what you all had better do if you expect to 
go on with your class next year. You can’t afford to 
drop behind in your school-classes on account of these 
children,” advised Miss Miller. 

“ Maybe they’ll forget all they learned from us — 
and maybe they’ll not want to bother with a Little 
Lodge if we have to leave them a whole month,” said 
Nita. 

“ I thought of a way to handle the situation but Zan 
ought to arrange about it without delay — that is, if it 
meets with the approval of you all” 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 299 

‘'It is sure to — what is it, Miss Miller?” said the 
girls. 

“ Ask Mrs. Remington to watch over and take 
charge of your Little Lodge until school is over. She 
can teach them lots of good things and they can be 
handed back to you in fine feather when your time is 
yours to enjoy again.” 

“ What a dandy idea ! I’ll do it the moment we get 
home,” exclaimed Zan. 

And the other girls agreed with her that the plan 
was great! Miss Miller meekly looked at the fading 
pink ashes of the camp-fire and mentally thanked the 
Watchful Spirit for a hope of peace that was held out 
to Wako Tribe. 

Monday night Mrs. Remington accepted an invita- 
tion from Zan to call and talk over Little Lodge mat- 
ters, and the result was that the Brownies were 
turned over to her personal charge and the Chief 
congratulated herself on her tact in arranging 
matters so nicely for the Brownies and for her 
friends. 

The following day, Tuesday, Eleanor met the Mason 
girls. “ I hear those five girls had a wonderful time 
at camp on the Palisades last week. Just got home late 
Sunday night.” 

“ Yes, and what is more it was the last outing with 
their Brownies this season. They have turned over 
affairs to Mrs. Remington till school closes,” retorted 
Anne. 

“ So, you see, that doesn’t look much like being so 


300 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


taken up with the Little Lodge that they were jealous 
of us, as you intimated some time ago/’ added Fran- 
ces. 

Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard 
nothing of the transfer. She said nothing more but 
changed the subject. 

For the month following the camp on the Palisades, 
every school girl was busy with studies and examina- 
tions, and little heed was paid Woodcraft interests. 
Miss Miller, too, had much extra work to do as she 
generally assisted the high-school teachers in reading 
papers and marking percentages for pupils. But she 
took time to visit the doctor one afternoon and outline 
to him the fears and worries she felt over the schism 
in the Tribe. 

“ I am sorry to hear my girl is so thoughtless of 
others’ rights in this matter, but I think I can suggest 
a way out of further misunderstandings,” said the 
doctor when the Guide had concluded her tale of 
trouble. 

“Oh, if you could! Your letter last Summer was 
so full of sensible advice regarding Nita that I felt 
sure you could offer some way out of this difficulty,” 
said Miss Miller. 

“ The last week of school — immediately after ex- 
ams. are over, so the girls will not be^ distracted 
by my plan during any important test — I will send an 
invitation to every girl in Wako Tribe asking them to 
visit Wickeecheokee for a camp party. Mrs. Baker 
is not going to take her boys there to camp until the 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


SOI 


day following the Fourth, and the girls can have the 
use of the place until that time. They can start as soon 
as they wish to after school closes.'^ 

“ Oh, that is just what we need — a close companion- 
ship such as a camp at the farm will give. Then the 
crisis will be passed without danger,” sighed Miss 
Miller, gratefully. 

‘‘ As a physician would say, * with no fatalities to 
record ! ' and patients all doing well ! ” laughed Dr. 
Baker. 

So it happened that the last Monday of the school- 
month, the hard tests all over for the term, Miss Miller 
sent word by Billy Remington, that the members of the 
Tribe were to meet her the next afternoon — Tuesday 
— in the gymnasium. 

It seemed a long time since the girls had met and 
everyone was present to hear what was the cause of 
the call. 

When all were present, the Guide read an invita- 
tion from the doctor, which included every girl in the 
Tribe, as well as the Little Lodge members. 

“ Oh, how lovely of the doctor ! ” cried several 
voices. 

“If only it was for some other time. Miss Miller! 
We have company coming to spend the Fourth,” com- 
plained one of the Suwanee members. 

“ And we are going to the seashore next Monday 
for a month I ” added another girl. 

“ Well, let us only consider the reply just now — 
those who will not be here to go with us, can explain 


30^ THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


later,” said the Guide, fearful lest the principal cause of 
the meeting be lost. 

Oh, we’ll go, of course ! Who’d think of re- 
fusing?” laughed Jane. 

“ Is that what everyone present thinks ? Remember 
girls — this is for everyone in the Tribe — not for a 
few,” said the Guide very plainly. 

The vote showed that every girl was glad and grate- 
ful to accept the invitation, so it was accepted and the 
letter handed Zan to give her father that night. Then 
the individual members would have to arrange their 
personal matters at home as best they could. This 
meeting over, the Guide felt that she had won another 
victory over the subtle temptations of evil to destroy 
any good work that would lift the individual out of 
its power for all time. 

It finally transpired that beside the five old mem- 
bers and the Little Lodge Brownies, but six of the new 
members could arrange to go to camp with the Tribe. 
The others had promised visits to pay, or were leaving 
the city with their families, for the entire Summer 
vacation. 

From the day the invitation was read to the day 
the girls planned to start, Eleanor was very attentive 
to Zan, effusing over everything the Chief did or said, 
until Zan grew annoyed and felt like asking her what 
it was all for. 

The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan 
on the street, and said : “ Are all the Brownies going 
with us ? ” 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


303 


“ Sure ! There aren’t enough to go around as it is 
— so we couldn’t spare one, you know.” 

“ They are such darlings ! I am so glad they will 
be with us ! ” exclaimed Eleanor. 

I thought you detested them. I heard that you 
preferred leaving our Tribe if we continued having a 
Little Lodge,” said Zan. 

“ What ! Who dared say that of me? It is false ! ” 
cried Eleanor, furious to find she had been found out. 

Oh, never mind who. You’ll get over this, just 
as we get over everything unpleasant. Stick to your 
present desire of being glad the kiddies are with us, 
and forget the others 1 ” 

So Zan, with all her frankness, averted an unpleas- 
ant scene with Eleanor. But she mentioned it to the 
Guide who nodded and said: ‘‘Eleanor will climb out 
of this mire just as Nita got out last Summer, but it 
seems to cling more tenaciously to Eleanor.” 

The short interval given the girls in which to pre- 
pare for the camp on the farm, soon passed and amid 
a chorus of happy good-byes and some regrets from 
those who remained at home, the Tribe left the city. 
After several hours of motoring through the lovely 
country districts of New Jersey, they reached Wickee- 
cheokee. 

“You five girls sure were lucky to have a whole 
summer at this grand old place,” said a member of 
Suwanee Band, as she admired the old colonial house, 
the ancient trees, the fine green lawns and the glimpse 
of gardens back of the barns. 


304 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


‘‘If you think this is fine, just wait till you see the 
Bluff and Falls where we camp. That’s something 
worth while ! ” bragged Zan, who was pleased at the 
admiration from the girls. 

“ The water rushes right down the mountain-side 
from Fiji’s Cave and falls over a great boulder into a 
pool below that we use for a swimming pool,” added 
Jane. 

“ And we have a large Council Ring there, and a 
ready-made fire-place,” said Hilda. 

“That reminds me! We all ought to feel hungry 
by this time, so we could have lunch on the lawn and 
start for the Bluff later, to get settled for the night,” 
advised the Guide. 

“ I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough,” 
said Jane, laughing. 

“ I can eat everything in sight — even the grass,” 
declared Billy. 

“ You won’t have to stoop to the meek little blades, 
Billy, as we brought plenty of sandwiches and cake,” 
said Zan. 

As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home. 
Miss Miller asked: “Who would like to visit the 
gardens after we’re through with refreshments ? ” 

“ Oh, yes ; I can’t tell an onion from a gooseberry,” 
laughed Eleanor. 

“ You ought to if you did your cookery work prop- 
erly this winter,” Miss Miller reproved. 

An hour was devoted to trying to identify the many 
vegetables of the garden, and at the same time, enough 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 305 

fruit and other things were gathered for supper and 
breakfast. 

“ Funny how different lettuce, radishes, beets, and 
other things look to us when growing in the garden 
and when we have them ready served on the dinner 
table,” commented one of the girls. 

Then the Guide described the habits of many vege- 
tables and explained how they grew and should be 
cared for and harvested. She touched upon the na- 
tional interest taken in canning and preserving and 
hinted that the Wako Girls might start a class for 
themselves early in the Fall. 

Bill Sherwood had erected tents and brought the 
cots from the cabin, so all was ready for the Tribe 
when they reached the Bluff. The Council Ring had 
been cleared of debris and the camp-fire place ready for 
supper, so that the Guide smiled and thanked Bill for 
his trouble to have everything in order for them. 

That night the girls sat star-gazing when Zan said : 
‘‘ We must start the new members and the Brownies 
on mat weaving and willow bed making, the first thing. 
Miss Miller.” 

Yes, the rushes and willows ought to be just about 
right this time of year,” added the Guide, delighted 
that Zan was taking a normal interest in her Woodcraft 
again. 

So immediately after breakfast, they all started 
down the slope to the Big Bridge where the reeds grew 
thickest and longest. In passing, the Guide called the 
attention of the Brownies and new members to the 


306 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


trees: Oak, hickory, maple and others were identified 
and described. 

Then Billy tried to show his superiority over the 
other Brownies, by saying : “ That is a red maple, and 
over there — that’s a swamp maple.” 

“ What’s this, Billy ? ” asked Elizabeth. 

“ Oh, that’s a mountain maple.” 

“ What was the grove we came through last night? ” 
said she. 

“ Sugar maples for maple syrup ! Don’t I know ! 
I’ve tapped them enough when out with Fred,” giggled 
Billy. 

While they were all engaged in cutting rushes some 
of the girls gazed about now and then. In one of these 
wayward glances. May saw some green leaves grow- 
ing in the brook. 

“ What are they. Miss Miller ? ” 

“ That is water-cress — would you like to gather it? ” 

“Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!” cried 
May. 

“ Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in 
and gather all you want. We’ll have it instead of let- 
tuce this noon.” 

Two of the girls preferred to help May gather cress 
as they thought they had enough reed and rush for a 
mat, so by the time the cutting was done, the three 
girls had a large basketful of water-cress. 

That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the 
looms constructed that morning. As they were work- 
ing for coups they applied themselves carefully to the 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 307 

work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving 
but soon wearied of it. 

Eleanor took an enthusiastic interest in the mats 
until she found it was tedious work and made her 
back ache with bending over the looms. 

“ It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when 
you really do not need them or want them for any- 
thing/’ said she. 

‘‘ We’re not weaving a doormat but working for an 
honour,” retorted May. 

“ But it is foolish — an empty honour,” laughed 
she. 

“ I never think anything foolish that creates a desire 
to do perfect work, or apply yourself and overcome 
impatience,” saidf Miss Miller. 

** But where’s the honour come in ? ” insisted 
Eleanor. 

‘‘ It is an honour always to follow the Bible’s in- 
junction — ‘ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it 
with thy might.’ ” 

“ Oh, you’re talking of religion — this is different,” 
argued Eleanor, not to be silenced. 

“ Our Master felt that the two went together — 
honour and religion. If one does what is honourable 
and right in small things he can be depended upon for 
greater things, too.” 

“Well, weaving grass mats won’t count,” scorned 
Eleanor, pushing at her badly woven mat impatiently. 

“ Everything counts. If you can’t be patient and do 
a simple thing like a grass mat how do you expect to 


308 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

be promoted? It is the promotion that gains us 
honours but if one fails to do the best he can with 
anything given to do, how can one hope to go higher 
in the scale of progress ? 

“ In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave 
that counts for the coup or honour, it is the general 
improvement in one’s moral and spiritual life that 
really counts. And the uplift in mental and character- 
istic desires brings about the higher basis for the next 
step. 

“ You mistake, Eleanor, when you think you are 
weaving grass mats or willow beds — you are weaving 
qualities of thought, good or bad, and each pattern 
produced only shows what thoughts, upbuilding or de- 
structive, you are allowing yourself to weave into the 
warp and woof of your future life. And this pattern 
is all there is to our temporal lives, but it is everything 
when we seek promotion to our eternal and spiritual 
life!” 

Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a dis- 
dainful manner and pretended to stifle a yawn as she 
gazed away to Pine Nob. 

The Guide saw the expression of being bored but 
she said nothing, being too noble a character to take 
offence or feel sensitive over the girl’s rudeness. The 
other girls had heard the short lecture and pondered 
deeply as they worked. 

Miss Miller saw the thoughtful girls in one compre- 
hensive glance, and thanked the Great Spirit that the 
seed had not all fallen on barren ground. 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 309 

Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and re- 
marked : 

“ Have you girls lost your tongues ? ” 

“ Why-hy, no-o ! I guess we were thinking/’ 

‘‘ Thinking — what of ? ” wondered she. 

“ Why Miss Miller’s words, to be sure. She is 
wonderful, that way, and we love to hear her explain 
things spiritual in such a simple way. It really makes 
religion attractive, I think,” said Jane. 

Now, if Jane Hubert thinks that, and she lives in 
the finest house belonging to any of the girls, and she 
has more money than any, there must be more to the 
Guide’s words than I thought of. What was it she 
said to me, anyway?” thought Eleanor to herself as 
she began pulling out the strands she had woven into 
the mat. 

Then she tried to remember and in so doing she took 
in more of what Miss Miller had really said than she 
thought possible. Even as she pondered, she finished 
unravelling the mat and began over again to weave the 
work correctly and neatly. 

Nita noticed this silent weaving and the thoughtful 
mien of Eleanor, and she left her own loom to join 
the girl and tell her of her experience while at Camp 
with Miss Miller the previous Summer. 

Eleanor kept her eyes upon the weaving as she lis- 
tened, and when Nita said : “ I never was so contented 
and happy in my life as now, and it is only because I 
tried to do just as Miss Miller taught and showed me 
to do.” 


310 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


The days passed only too quickly for the busy 
Woodcrafters until the day before the Fourth. Then 
the Doctor telephoned just before noon and told the 
Guide that the friends and families of Wako Tribe 
were coming down to hold a Council on the afternoon 
of the Fourth. 

When this unexpected news was transmitted to the 
girls, such a bustle and excitement as it created! 
Everyone wanted to do something fine to show the 
visitors what progress had been made in the past week. 

Some of the girls went to the house to bake cake for 
refreshments, some hurriedly sawed and painted crude 
totems to make the Council Ring appear decorated. 
The Brownies thrashed through the woods gathering 
wild flowers and fern, and arranging them in pails and 
jars of water. Mrs. Sherwood skimmed the rich 
cream from several pans of milk and offered to freeze 
the ice-cream. Everyone managed to get in everyone 
else's way, and the merry confusion was as enjoyable 
as a surprise party. 

The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it 
was almost two o’clock before a maddening sound 
reached them. 

‘‘ Good gracious ! That isn’t our siren 1 ” cried 
Jane. 

Nor ours — and it isn’t the Remingtons’, either,” 
said Zan. 

Then another terrific blast sounded from the Big 
Bridge, and the girls saw three large jitneys turn in 
from the main road and pull up before Bill’s cottage. 


SOME WEEK-END CAMPS 


311 


Did you ever see such a crowd ? ” exclaimed May, 
as the visitors jumped out and looked about. 

Everybody and his uncle ’ came, I guess ! 
laughed Elena. 

And in jitneys ! Isn’t it a scream ? ” added Jane. 

As they spoke, the girls were hurrying down the 
slope to welcome the friends and soon after, the 
Council Ring was filled and the entertainment began. 

Nita danced, the Tribe sang, the boys had sham- 
battles, games were enjoyed, and refreshments, — not 
the least of the fun — were quickly disposed of and the 
visitors complimented the cooks. 

‘‘ I hear those jitneys calling ‘ Ole Black Joe,’ ” sang 
the doctor, as a horn sounded from the foot of the 
slope. But I must say my little say before I go. 
And this is my speech ! ” 

Dr. Baker then told the girls that they, as a Tribe, 
were invited to accompany Mrs. Hubert to the Adiron- 
dack Camp for the Summer. She expected to leave 
the city on the following Thursday and anyone intend- 
ing to go must be ready and waiting at the car. 

This wonderful news was wildly received and the 
visitors were sent ofif in a hurry, as the girls wanted 
time to consider ways and means of going to Wood- 
chuck Camp. 


CHAPTER SIXTEEN 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 

T T7HEN the girls returned to the city the day fol- 
lowing the Fourth, they heard that Mrs. Rem- 
ington and Anna, the governess, were going to assist 
them in Woodcraft that Summer, and incidentally look 
after Teddy and Tammy, the babies of Little Lodge. 

Mrs. Baker was invited but she declined as she had 
already arranged to start a boys^ camp for her sons at 
the farm. All the members of Wako Tribe were in- 
vited but many of them could not go, as other plans 
had been made by mothers. So on the day of depart- 
ure, Miss Miller, the other ladies, and Brownies, with 
the five old members and some of the new ones, 
boarded the express. 

It was a long wearisome ride but the wonders ex- 
pected when all should reach the mountains buoyed 
them up. As Zan said : It was just like journeying 
hopefully through earth’s tribulations for the joy 
and peace waiting in Heaven.” 

It was dark when the campers reached the Huberts’ 
place and not much could be seen, but early in the 
morning every girl was out and exclaiming at the 
beauty of the forest camp. The lake was a short walk 
from the long cabin, and a swim was the first thing on 
312 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 313 

the programme. After that a hearty breakfast, and 
a hike through the woods. 

As they merrily ran hither and thither in the cool 
bowers of green, the Brownies gathered flowers and 
leaves. Billy brought Miss Miller a sprig of green and 
she cried : 

Ha ! Who knows what this is — don’t tell them, 
Billy!’* 

“ Do you know — it smells like mint of some sort ? ” 
said Nita, sniffing at the green leaves. 

‘‘ It’s sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours 
the chewing gum Zan told us of in her essay,” said the 
Guide. 

‘‘ Then it is used for candy, too,” added Billy. 

Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these 
woods can be used for flavouring, too,” said Mrs. 
Remington. 

‘‘ Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some 
candy the first rainy day? ” laughed Zan. 

‘‘ Having the flavouring at hand — why not ? ” re- 
torted Jane, well knowing the Brownies would take up 
the cry. 

Even as she turned to nudge Billy, a drop of rain 
splashed down upon her face. She looked up and saw 
a heavy cloud sweeping over the sun and the others 
turned and looked also. 

Run everybody, or we’ll have to swim back ! ” 
cried Zan. 

Run for the house — not for the camp I Remem- 
ber that sassafras candy! ” merrily shouted Jane. 


SU THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 

So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a 
candy-pull and sticky hands and faces of Wako Tribe 
members. 

No one could settle down to any planned Woodcraft 
work that first week in the Adirondacks as the call of 
the forest and lake proved irresistible. But the second 
week the novelty had worn off enough to allow the girls 
to start some active work. 

“We must have a good cabin to hold our tools and 
work during the Summer — what do you say to build- 
ing one at once? ” asked Miss Miller. 

“ Oh, yes, let’s ! ” replied the girls who had built the 
cabin at Wickeecheokee Camp. 

“ Won’t it be awfully hard work? ” queried Anne. 

“ And so senseless when you have tents and a house 
near enough to place things,” added Eleanor, peevishly. 
“ It will be more fun to swing in a hammock and read 
stories.” 

“ One can read books in the Winter but who wants 
to do it in camp? ” scorned Hilda. 

“ My mother sent me a box of novels and I shall 
take it easy and read — you girls can do as you like,” 
retorted Eleanor. 

Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard 
at once. “ Who is your favourite author, Eleanor ? ” 

“ I have so many, I hardly can tell,” said the girl, 
not aware of the Guide’s intentions to draw her out. 

“What style of book do you prefer? Travel, his- 
tory, or love stories ? ” 

“ Oh, love, to be sure 1 The kind that are run 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 


315 


serially in the ‘ Cosmo ’ Magazine. I adore them and 
the moment the books are out I buy them to read again. 
I can devour the love scenes again and again, and enjoy 
them ! ” sighed Eleanor, sentimentally. 

“ When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you 
allow me to look them over first ? ’’ 

‘'Of course you may, but I can’t see why' you 
would want to read them first — you couldn’t finish 
them all in a month ! ” laughed Eleanor. 

“ I have no desire to read them, but I must see what 
you intend bringing into camp. From your words, I 
should say the books are unworthy the name. I have 
long taken up the crusade against the trash that some 
magazines publish as it is unhealthy for young people. 
There are scores of other periodicals just as bad but 
they haven’t the wealth or influence to advertise and 
put over their injurious reading that this one you men- 
tion has.” 

“Why, how queer you are. Miss Miller! Every- 
one says the authors of those stories make fortunes 
out of everything written I ” Eleanor defended. 

“ Ah, yes ! What will be their report when the Day 
of Accounts comes and we each have to look at the 
facts bared by Truth?” sighed the Guide walking 
away. 

Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. “ Isn’t 
she the funniest thing ! ” 

“ No, we all know Miss Miller’s great ambition to 
provide clean wholesome literature for young people 
and Dad seconds her enthusiastically in her work. She 


316 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY, 


wrote an article to the New York papers showing how 
subtle and poisonous was the moral and mental perver- 
sion of the sex stories so flagrantly advertised by pub- 
lishers who only thought of gain and notoriety. But 
the newspapers are not courageous enough to throw the 
gauntlet down to these publishers. Some of them 
wrote back that the concerns mentioned spent large 
sums advertising in their daily papers. So Miss Miller 
has to try some other method to open the eyes of the 
parents and guardians to the danger threatening young 
people.” 

Eleanor stared at Zan and wondered, as half of it 
was Greek to her understanding. Miss Miller was 
heard ordering the carpenters to different duties, how- 
ever, so Zan ran over to join them. 

‘‘ The Brownies can find birch bark and make the 
ornaments to decorate the cabin,” said Anna, as the 
Guide apportioned each group of girls to tasks. 

“ Moreover, they can remove the large sections of 
bark from this down-timber for the girls to use on the 
outside of the cabin after the posts are up,” said Mrs. 
Remington. 

And that is how the name “ Boss ” began for the 
Guide. 

“ ril guarantee to have bark, totems, shields, and 
other ornaments ready for use when the cabin needs 
them,” added Mrs. Remington, calling the Brownies 
to go with Anna and her. 

All that day the silent places of the forest resounded 
with sawing, chopping and hammering, but now and 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 317 

then a hot and tired girl would throw herself down on 
the moss to cool. 

At luncheon that day, Mrs. Remington whispered 
to Miss Miller : “ This work will take much of the 
softness out and leave them in good shape for other 
sport.’* 

Exactly ! ” replied the Guide, looking about at the 
hungry, eager faces of the members. 

A call for Boss ” from Tim, who was assisting in 
the hauling of the logs, interrupted further comment 
at that time. 

“ Miss Miller, the young ladies don’t want to dig a 
hole where the logs will rest. I tells them they must 
do it to have a firm foundation. Fact, I said, a hull 
cellar ought to be dug to keep the floor dry and sweet- 
smellin’,” said Tim. 

“ Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or 
two feet deep. Otherwise the floor will soon be 
mouldy and damp.” 

So that afternoon, the girls dug and shovelled and 
worked on a pit about a foot and a half deep and as 
large as the floor was planned to be. The four logs 
forming the foundation square were well set before the 
horn sounded for rest that night. 

“ Didn’t the time fly? ” asked May, in surprise. 

It always does when one is pleasantly employed,” 
added Mrs. Hubert, complimenting the Tribe on the 
work accomplished. 

The next day the cross-beams of the floor were laid, 
and the four corner posts erected and firmly nailed into 


318 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


place. At the luncheon that noon, plans were made 
for the siding and roofing the cabin. That afternoon, 
the ridgepole and rafters of the roof were set and the 
uprights of the walls nailed in securely. When Mrs. 
Hubert blew the horn for Quits ’’ the girls looked 
longingly at the skeleton of their cabin. 

Fd like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the 
outside before stopping work,’’ ventured Elena. 

“Not if you are a member of this union. The rest 
of us will strike if you are permitted to work over- 
time,” retorted the Guide, to the amusement of Tim 
who thought the “ Boss ” a wonder. 

The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed 
on and then the girls began the interesting work of 
fitting on the great slabs of bark. This had to be care- 
fully done as any rough handling or nailing cracked 
the sections. 

By evening the cabin was covered and looked very 
rustic with its forest blanket on sides and roof. But 
Tim said the wide chinks between sheets of bark must 
be filled in, and this must be done with plaster. 

“ Where can we find any? ” wondered Zan. 

“ I’ll show you in the morning,” replied Miss 
Miller. 

So in the morning they went down to the shore and 
the Guide dug a pit where clay was found at a depth 
of ten inches. This was worked well with water until 
it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the 
mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted 
as hod-carriers while the girls did the mason work. 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 


319 


Now and then a Brownie was allowed to fill in chinks 
near the ground and rub it down between the bark. 

This work was great fun and was finished by noon. 
Then the question of windows and door came up. 

“ I have two sashes in the garage left over from the 
addition built to the house last year/’ suggested 
Tim. 

“ Then we will have to make real frames ? ” asked 
Jane. 

No’m ! They slides along grooves and is easier to 
shet when a shower comes up. If you had pulleys and 
fittin’s like city houses they’d always be ketchin’ and 
out of order,” said Tim. 

So the donation of two nice windows was grate- 
fully accepted and the extra time saved was given to 
the door. This was a difficult thing to make as real 
hinges and a catch had to be fitted. Before the saddle 
and strike were done, the girls felt that doors were 
indeed an invention of the evil one to make folks want 
to swear. Fingers were bruised, and heads bumped as 
each girl declared she could do it — it was so easy ! 

But the door was finally hung — with Tim’s help — 
and then the cabin was ready for furniture. The 
Brownies had carried in all the packing cases saved 
from the freight, and Mrs. Hubert had a remnant of 
pantasote in the loft of the house, left from the cover- 
ing of her window seats. 

While the Brownies made and painted totems and 
crude decorations, the girls made and upholstered box- 
furniture, and in a week’s time, the cabin was ready 


320 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


for company. The visitors in this case consisted of 
Mrs. Hubert and Tim’s wife. 

“ This cabin beats the one we made on the farm all 
to smithereens ! ” exulted Zan, admiring the inside and 
then stepping out to compliment the Little Lodge on the 
floral decorations and Woodcraft tokens they had 
made. 

“ We can keep all our Woodcraft stuff in here and 
when one of us wants to be alone she can sit in here 
and read or snooze,” added Jane. 

“ I’ll put the box of books in here and you girls 
can help yourselves,” said Eleanor, generously. 

How about it — did they come ? ” asked Zan, 
curiously. 

‘‘ Tim said the box was at the station and he is going 
to bring it in the morning,” replied Eleanor. 

Miss Miller was right on the spot when the box was 
taken from the automobile and Eleanor brought the 
hammer and driver to pry off the top boards. As ex- 
pected, the Guide found trashy paper novels inside and 
a note from Eleanor’s mother. This the girl read 
aloud. 

Dear Ella: 

As you are camping where rain and dirt will spoil a 
good book I bought a lot from a lo-cent store and 
from a second-hand shop downtown. It won’t hurt if 
these do get wet, so don’t worry over them. I tried to 
buy your favourite authors — Lila Jane Lilly is one, 
isn’t she? And the Dutchie another. If the other 



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THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 


girls want to read them, be generous and let them,” 

Lovingly, 

Mother.” 

“ Humph ! I should say a thorough soaking of rain 
would improve these books vastly,” remarked the Guide 
as she gingerly turned the pages of the first few re- 
moved from the box. ‘‘ In fact, if we could soak them 
back to pulp again and forever wash away the effects 
of the text, what a benefaction the world would 
have!” 

‘‘Are you jesting, Miss Miller?” wondered Elea- 
nor. 

“Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these 
stories implant in the minds of adolescent girls and 
boys ? Why, the woman who made such a fortune out 
of gullible young things ought to be condemned to 
purgatory — only we know there isn’t such a place ! ” 
fumed the Guide, righteously indignant. 

“ I’ve read most of her books and I never saw any- 
thing bad. They were grand — and full of wonderful 
romance ! ” defended Eleanor. 

“If the ‘ bad ’ was exposed your mother wouldn’t 
have had you read them, and your appetite would have 
been improved. But so subtle is the viciousness of 
such stuff that you now don’t want to read a sweet 
wholesome story like ‘ Pollyanna ’ or similar girls’ 
books. Do you suppose a mortal with a craving for 
liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold water or home- 
made bread ? So it is with a perverted appetite for sex 


S22 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


stories and thrills — you won’t content yourself with 
uplifting literature but demand more and more of the 
degrading kind ! ” 

“ But these books are not sex stuff ! ” cried Eleanor. 

“Just as bad. And their influence is the same as 
that created by drink or dope.” 

As the Guide spoke she looked through the re- 
mainder of the collection and sighed as she thought of 
the density of some parents. “ Saving a few pence for 
fine clothing, and economising on reading for their 
children ! Clothing the exterior with ‘ fine feathers,’ 
and feeding the mind with swill ! Considering money 
wasted on good reasonably priced books and squander- 
ing wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical 
fibre of their children ! Never sparing a thought as to 
the ultimate effects of trashy books and ignoring the 
outcome of deteriorating sensations in the young be- 
cause they are so anxious to add to a savings account 
for the future! Just as long as the book — white or 
yellow — (mattered not) kept the reader occupied and 
quiet for a time, that the mother might finish the extra 
frill on the schooldress or party costume.” 

As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation 
on the prevalent disease of contagious novels, Eleanor 
was too angry to reply. Finally, however, she man- 
aged to say : 

“If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn’t 
have sent for any books. But I hunted that first night 
and couldn’t see a single magazine or book.” 

“ If you had sought in the house you would have 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 323 

found a great bookcase full! ” retorted Jane, angry at 
implied oversight. 

We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was 
waiting for my box to come, I read a few,” admitted 
Eleanor. 

“ Well, what was it — did you like 'em? ” asked Zan. 

“ Oh, I found one called ‘ The Right Princess ' and 
another by the same author ‘ The Opened Shutters,* 
that were pretty good for kid stories,” said Eleanor, as 
if in apology. 

“ Kid story 1 Well, there are more grown-ups and 
parents enjoy those kind of books than kids, let me tell 
you!’* said Jane. 

“ And you will find many more such books in that 
case, too, Eleanor,” added Mrs. Hubert. 

“ Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and 
read them if these didn’t get here soon. I did begin 
one last night ! ” confessed Eleanor. 

I wish you would read them instead of these and 
permit me to return these at once. I cannot have them 
in camp at all ! ” said Miss Miller. 

It spoke well for Eleanor’s salvation and improve- 
ment that she agreed willingly to send back the books. 
But she hesitated to admit that she had found many 
books in the Hubert’s bookcase far more interesting 
than the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon 
hitherto. 

The daily and hourly effect of associating with the 
right kind of girls, and hearing good and constructive 
ideas, were making an impression on this character so 


324 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


like many girls who are not aware of their short- 
comings. And the change was being remarked by 
those about her. 

Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention 
to the efforts of the girl to be obliging and truth- 
ful like those about her, but she was careful to 
encourage and help Eleanor in every way she 
could. 

As is fully told in the book written for the Little 
Woodcrafters, the girls spent July and August in 
happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of August not 
only were results apparent in objects made, but the 
cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how con- 
tented and enjoyable had been the weeks at Woodchuck 
Camp. 

Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the 
men of the families planned to drive the cars to the 
mountains and spend Labour Day with the Tribe. Mrs. 
Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the 
doctor’s car. 

“ Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they 
are all coming here. Why not invite other friends ? ” 
said Zan. 

“ The ride is too expensive by train, and few have 
cars, you must remember,” said the Guide. 

Well, then, let’s get up some new dances or games, 
anyway,” suggested Nita. 

Humph ! That isn’t the same as having com- 
pany ! ” grumbled Zan. But the spirit of entertaining 
replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls were 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 3^5 

soon at work devising ways and means for a Wood- 
craft programme. 

That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside 
and had a confidential talk with them. From the ex- 
pression of their faces the secret was most pleasing, 
and during the mornings and evenings preceding 
Labour Day, the two girls were up in Huberts’ loft 
working on the secret plan. Miss Miller, too, was 
seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer 
from the village ten miles down the mountain-side 
had brought several young turkeys with the feathers 
still on. Then Billy found the feathers gone and the 
birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those 
feathers ? 

The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors, 
when the Tribe had been called together to pronounce 
judgment on a new dance. Miss Miller began playing 
a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came 
from the cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs. 
Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed in the Eagle 
Dancer’s Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance. 

The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bor- 
dered with the missing turkey feathers, and an edging 
of down as well as feathers wherever they could be 
artistically placed, made the two costumes most 
striking and gorgeous. 

Then began the dance. The two eagles circled 
about each other in a fluttering courtship. Mr. Eagle 
summoned courage enough to advance while Mrs. 
Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced 


326 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


and circled until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully con- 
sented to accept the gallant’s attentions. Then he flew 
over to her side and as she turned to flee once more, 
Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced 
away with heads together. 

The entire dance was very well done, and the ad- 
miring audience applauded loudly for an encore, but 
Miss Miller said: 

“No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it 
before it was danced to-morrow. The Eagle Dance, 
done by the Zuni or Hopi Indian men, is much more 
energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think, 
and Zan a demure and willing lady-love.” 

“ Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get 
a picture of the costume. Zan, will you pose by that 
tree while I snap you ? ” said Mrs. Remington. 

“ And let me add : Nita and Zan can claim a coup 
for that dancing costume,” said the Guide. 

The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the 
ambitions of the Big Lodge, that they, too, worked 
hard to present their claims for admiration. Tally 
Books were pasted up, bugs and butterflies, moths and 
grasses, birds’ nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed 
specimens were arranged on a rustic table for exhibi- 
tion. This kept the children busy and out of the way 
of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the 
Grand Council. 

That week-end was perfect and word reached the 
village hotel Saturday morning that a number of autos 
filled with guests would need accommodations over 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 


327 


Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily 
circulated and when the Doctor's party rode through 
the sleepy little place every villager was out and curi- 
ously watching the sight. All those city folks at the 
hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Has- 
kins do — and his wife laid up with asthma so’s you 
could hear her wheeze away down the lane! 

Leaving the luggage at the “ hotel," the visitors con- 
tinued to the camp ten miles further on. Here they 
met a noisy welcome, and soon were seated under the 
pines telling the story of their trip. 

‘‘ Now then," concluded the doctor, “ if this Tribe 
doesn’t appreciate our sacrifices to enable us to assist 
at this Council, I shall forever after wash my hands 
of them." 

If you haven’t any vessel larger than the tin basin 
in our hotel bed-room, your hands will not be washed 
very well ! ’’ laughed Mrs. Baker. 

Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers 
knew of the hotel which was no more than an elon- 
gated farm-house with a lean-to added at one end 
for a “ ristrant." This addition was politely called 
“ The Annex." 

It’s a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you 
all ! ’’ added Mrs. Hubert, chuckling at reminiscences. 

‘‘He didn’t!" retorted Fiji. “He dragged some 
husk-mattresses into the low attic above the ‘guest 
rooms ’ and told us boys we had to sleep there. I have 
to wash at the pump ’cause he hasn’t enough basins 
to go round ! ’’ 


328 THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY 


“ There^s the lake — don’t draw on the limited sup- 
ply of rain-water from the pump ! ” laughed Mrs. 
Remington. 

In spite of quarters and accommodations at the 

hotel,” however, the visiting party declared they 
had never had a better time than this Labour Day 
Council Meeting. 

The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming 
and fishing not the least of them. The hiking. Coun- 
cils, games, and other diversions of camp-life filled 
every moment till the early morning after Labour 
Day when everyone had to rush madly about to pick 
up articles over-looked in the hasty packing of bag- 
gage, for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride back 
in the cars with the visitors. 

When they were gone, and the Brownies went to 
say good-bye to the lake and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hu- 
bert turned to Mrs. Remington and said: 

'' Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp? ” 
They certainly did — a glorious Summer and filled 
with good work,” replied Mrs. Remington. 

'‘When I think of Paul over-coming his whining 
ways, your little Teddy more considerate of his little 
friends, Tammy losing his dependence on others, Betty 
not half so shy, Billy and Edith eager to help others 
instead of enjoying themselves, I say, God bless the 
Brownies,” sighed Mrs. Hubert, gratefully. 

“ But you’ve said not a word about the Big Lodge 1 
How about Eleanor Wilbur? Did you ever see such 
wonderful improvement in anyone? And our boys, 



ZAN S CERKMONIAL COSTUME 




I 


THE ADIRONDACK CAMP 


3£9 


too. Mrs. Baker certainly deserves unlimited thanks 
for the way they show camp training. Then there are 
those new members, and our five old ones — perhaps 
you and I show the general uplift the others do, too! ** 
said Mrs. Remington, smilingly. 

I may not show it but I feel it,’’ responded Mrs. 
Hubert. 

Who can help being ‘ born again ’ with the simple 
life in grand old forests near a lake of pure water? 
Nature is the Wonder Worker in selfish, morbid, er- 
roneous characters, and the marvel grows as each one 
rises higher and reaches out for God unconsciously 
until he arrives at a resting-place. Then the mist dis- 
appears and he catches a glimpse of the glories of the 
wide horizon’s promised Heaven.” 

At the last words, the key clicked in the front door 
and the two ladies turned to join the rest of the party 
who were following Tim toward the large touring-car 
waiting at the end of the woodland path. 

THE END 




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